Lens-Enhanced Communication Device

ABSTRACT

A communication device includes a lens having a defined shape. A feeder array comprising a plurality of antenna elements that are positioned in a specified proximal distance from the lens to receive a lens-guided beam of input radio frequency (RF) signals through the lens. The specified proximal distance is less than a focal length of the lens. The lens covers the feeder array as a radome enclosure. A distribution of a gain from the received lens-guided beam of input RF signals is substantially equalized from a radiation surplus region to a radiation deficient region of the feeder array to increase at least a reception sensitivity of the plurality of antenna elements for at least the lens-guided beam of input RF signals, based on the defined shape of the lens and the specified proximal distance of the feeder array to the lens.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/233,044, filed Dec. 26, 2018.

This application also makes reference to U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/335,034, filed Oct. 26, 2016.

The above referenced patent is hereby incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

Certain embodiments of the disclosure relate to a millimeterwave-enabled communication device. More specifically, certainembodiments of the disclosure relate to a communication device andmethod for lens-based enhancement of RF signals.

BACKGROUND

Recent developments in RF communication systems have created a demand tomitigate a lower power reception of Lens-Enhanced Phase-Array (LEPA) RFreceivers that employ a combination of a lens and phase-array antennasto capture excitation from incident RF signals. As reception of adequatepower is critical in establishing reliable wireless communications, thelower power reception creates a bottleneck for reliable communicationfor devices that communicate in accordance with 4G and 5G communicationstandards. The LEPA configuration for receivers has gained traction inrecent years due to numerous advantages, such as wide scan angles,selectively beam steering and increase gain and phase control overincident RF signals. The power received by a phased array antenna panelcan be increased by proper beamforming and also by increasing the areaof the array and the number of antennas residing in the array. However,due to space limitations, this approach can increase the size of thereceiver, and thus, make such implementation impractical forcommunication devices that require thinner form factor. The powerdistribution in the LEPA configurations is traditionally non-uniformlydistributed over phase-array antennas. Such non-uniform powerdistribution creates bottlenecks while measuring power levels from thephase-array antennas. Additionally, as the phase-array elements aretraditionally separated by a distance that is equal to the focal lengthof the lens, therefore, every phase-array element has to be discretelyscanned to measure and capture adequate power at different scan angles.Such discretized scans lead to overall delay in power measurement,capture, and processing time, which affects the operation of the devicethat implements such receiver configuration.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one skill in the art, throughcomparison of such systems with some aspects of the present disclosureas set forth in the remainder of the present application with referenceto the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Devices and/or methods are provided for a lens-based enhancement ofinput RF signals, substantially as shown in and/or described inconnection with at least one of the figures, as set forth morecompletely in the claims.

These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the presentdisclosure, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof,will be more fully understood from the following description anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D, collectively, illustrate an exemplarycommunication device having an exemplary arrangement of a lens-basedfeeder array, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary transmitter circuitry for a pluralityof antenna elements of the communication device of FIG. 1A, inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary receiver circuitry for a plurality ofantenna elements of the communication device of FIG. 1A, in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3A illustrates an arrangement of lens over a feeder array ofantenna elements, as an integrated part of the communication device ofFIG. 1A, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3B illustrates another arrangement of lenses over a feeder array ofantenna elements, as an integrated part of the communication device ofFIG. 1A, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3C illustrates a dielectric lens with an inhomogeneous distributionof dielectric constant for use in the communication device of FIG. 1A,in connection with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3D illustrates a dielectric lens with stacked layers of dielectricmaterial for use in the communication device of FIG. 1A, in connectionwith an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3E illustrates a dielectric lens with perforations for use in thecommunication device of FIG. 1A, in connection with an exemplaryembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3F illustrates an off-centered lens for use in the communicationdevice of FIG. 1A, in connection with an exemplary embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 4A illustrates a conventional arrangement of lens-based antennasfor discretized scanning of antenna elements of a conventionalcommunication device.

FIG. 4B illustrates an exemplary lens-based feeder array for continuousscanning of phase array antenna elements of the communication device ofFIG. 1A, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5A illustrates an exemplary lens enhanced phase array (LEPA)configuration for the communication device of FIG. 1A, in accordancewith an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5B illustrates an exemplary plot of radiation pattern of multiplebeams across a range of scan angles for the exemplary lens enhancedphase array (LEPA) configuration of FIG. 5A, in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6A illustrates an exemplary lens enhanced phase array (LEPA)configuration for the communication device of FIG. 1A, in accordancewith an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6B illustrates an exemplary plot of radiation pattern of beamsacross a range of scan angles for a lens customized for the exemplarylens enhanced phase array (LEPA) configuration of FIG. 6A, in accordancewith an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart that illustrates exemplary operations forequalized distribution of received input RF signals across feeder arrayof the communication device, in accordance with an exemplary embodimentof the disclosure.

FIG. 8 depicts a communication setup that illustrates operation of thecommunication device of FIG. 1A with other signaling sources/sinks, inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9A is a schematic side view of an exemplary shaped lens on anantenna array in a lens enhanced phase array (LEPA) configuration forthe communication device of FIG. 1A, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe disclosure.

FIG. 9B is a schematic top view of the exemplary shaped lens on theantenna array of FIG. 9A, in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 9C is a schematic bottom view of the exemplary shaped lens on theantenna array of FIG. 9B, in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of an exemplary shaped lens on anantenna array in a lens enhanced phase array (LEPA) configuration forthe communication device of FIG. 1A, in accordance with anotherembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates a system board with transmitter and receiver modulesfor a communication device, in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of a system board with a system boardbase enclosure and a system board cover, in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary system board cover with a lens for acommunication device, in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary lens mounted on a system board coverusing threads, in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart that illustrates exemplary operations forsubstantially equalized distribution of received input RF signals acrossfeeder array of the communication device using a shaped lens, inaccordance with another embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Certain embodiments of the disclosure may be found in a method and acommunication device for lens-based enhancement of RF signals. Thedisclosed method and the communication device provide a solution toimprove power gain (or transmit power) for a received (or a transmitted)beam of RF signals without an increase in the area of a feeder array ora number of antenna elements in the feeder array provided in thecommunication device. Different lens configurations, with differentshapes, sizes and geometries, or permittivity profiles mayadvantageously facilitate a beam scan at wider angles and a beamsteering for desired regions of the feeder array. This furtherfacilitates equalized distribution of received RF power from RF signalsat the feeder array of a receiver and/or transmitter of thecommunication device. The disclosed LEPA configuration of the receiverand/or the transmitter may further facilitate robust communication formillimeter wave enabled devices at frequency bands and data rates thatsupport the “4G”, “5G” or higher (nG) standards. The proximity of afirst lens and the feeder array in the LEPA configuration may furtherrender a thinner form-factor for the receiver and the communicationdevice, which may advantageously reduce a size of the receiver and/ortransmitter for the communication device and further mitigate designconstraints for such receivers that are capable of millimeter wavecommunication, for example, 5G communication. The use of phase arrayantennas with such proximity to the feeder array enables a continuousscan for excitations from the beam of RF signals at the feeder arrayinstead of a discretized scan for each individual antenna elementobserved in current solutions. In the following description, referenceis made to the accompanying drawings, which forms a part hereof, and inwhich is shown, by way of illustration, various embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D, collectively, illustrate an exemplarycommunication device having an exemplary arrangement of a lens-basedfeeder array, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of thedisclosure. With reference to FIG. 1A, there is shown a communicationdevice 102 that comprises a receiver 102A, which may further comprise afirst lens 104, a feeder array 106, a receiver circuitry 112, andcontrol circuitry 114. The feeder array 106 may be electrically coupledto the receiver circuitry 112 and the control circuitry 114.

The communication device 102 may be configured to receive a beam ofinput radio frequency (RF) signals from one or more defined signalsources, such as a base-station and a RF repeater. The beam of input RFsignals may be received at the receiver 102A of the communication device102. The communication device 102 may be a wireless signal processingdevice that may be configured to execute one or more operations on thereceived beam of input RF signals. Examples of the one or moreoperations may include, but are not limited to, amplification,de-amplification, denoising, sampling, quantization, error-correction,encoding, decoding, signal boosting, A/D conversion, D/A conversion, andTX/RX of the beam of input RF signals. Examples of the communicationdevice 102 may include, but are not limited to, a 4^(th) Generation (4G)smartphone, a 5th Generation (5G) smart-phone, a 4G Long Term Evolution(LTE) smartphone, a 4G RF repeater, a 5G RF repeater, a 4G-enabled basetransceiver station (BTS), a 5G-enabled BTS, a 5G ready device (i.e. 5GNR EN-DC capable device), and a customer premise equipment (CPE) in ahome network. EN-DC refers to E-UTRAN New Radio-Dual Connectivity thatenables introduction of 5G services and data rates in a predominantly 4Gnetwork.

The receiver 102A may be configured to receive and process the beam ofinput RF signals, incident at an incident angle with respect to a planeof the receiver 102A of the communication device 102. In some cases, thereceiver 102A may be configured to receive and process multiple beamsincident at multiple incident angles with respect to the plane of thereceiver 102A. As shown, the receiver 102A may be present in a specificregion of the communication device 102 and may be associated with aspecific form factor and package configuration. Examples of the packageconfiguration may include, but are not limited to, System on Chip(SoC)-based configuration, Field programmable gate arrays (FPGA)-basedconfiguration, complex programmable logic device (CPLD)-basedconfiguration, System in package (SiP)-based configuration, andProgrammable System on Chip (PSoC)-based configuration. The receiver102A may be implemented as a Multiple-Input and Multiple-Output (MIMO)receiver for millimeter wave communications. Such MIMO configuration ofthe receiver 102A may be further based on a lens-enhanced phased array(LEPA) configuration. The LEPA configuration of the receiver 102A mayfurther include a single lens or a lens array of a plurality of lenseswith the feeder array 106. Examples of the receiver 102A may include,but are not limited to, a 4G RF receiver, a 4G LTE RF receiver, and a 5GRF receiver, or a receiver of a CPE.

The first lens 104 may be designed to guide the beam of input RFsignals, incident at an incident angle with respect to an optical axisof the first lens 104. The beam of input RF signals may be guided by thefirst lens 104 across the feeder array 106. The first lens 104 may beassociated with a defined shape and may have a defined distribution ofdielectric constant. Such defined shape and the distribution of thedielectric constant may be adjusted to equalize a distribution of a gainfrom the received input beam of RF signals across the feeder array 106.The defined shape of the first lens 104 may be one of a squared lensshape, a rectangular lens shape, or an arbitrary lens shape. The firstlens 104 may be associated with lens characteristics, which maycorrespond to at least one of a geometry profile, a dielectric profile(or a permittivity profile), a refractive index profile, and a radiationprofile. The geometry profile of the first lens 104 may correspond to aphysical configuration based on a thickness, a length, a beam-diameter,a radius of curvature, and an arrangement of at least one aperture ofthe first lens 104. The dielectric profile of the first lens 104 maycorrespond to a distribution of dielectric constant within the firstlens 104. The dielectric profile may be based on at least a dielectricconstant, a permittivity, and a variation in concentration of at leastone dielectric material in at least one region of the first lens 104.Similarly, the refractive index profile of the first lens 104 maycorrespond to a distribution of refractive index along a radial, aprincipal, or a defined plane of the first lens 104. With variations inprofile parameters, different lens configurations can be obtained toachieve control over gain equalization, signal energy spread out, phase,and steering angles for different beams of input RF signals. Some ofsuch lens configurations have been illustrated as an example, in FIGS.3A to 3F.

The feeder array 106 may be configured to receive (or transmit) a firstlens-steered beam of input RF signals steered via the first lens 104.The feeder array 106 may correspond to a phased array antenna panel,which may include a plurality of patches of antenna elements, arrangedin arrays of “N×M” dimensions in one or more planes, where N and M maybe a number of antenna elements in a row and a column of a substrate110, respectively. The feeder array 106 may be positioned proximally tothe first lens 104 to receive the first lens-steered beam of input RFsignals through the first lens 104. Such proximal arrangement of thefirst lens 104 and the feeder array 106 may further establish a thinnerconfiguration of the receiver 102A as compared to existing solutions forRF signal enhancements for a conventional receiver, for example, for4G/5G (millimeter wave) communication.

The feeder array 106 may be part of a front-end circuitry, which may befurther configured to directly receive the beam of input RF signalsguided through the first lens 104. The feeder array 106 may include aplurality of antenna elements 108A . . . 108N on the substrate 110 ofthe feeder array 106. The plurality of antenna elements 108A . . . 108Nmay further be associated with the receiver circuitry 112 (and/or atransmitter circuitry (See FIG. 2A)) that may include a plurality ofphase shifters, and various amplifiers electrically coupled to theplurality of antenna elements 108A . . . 108N of the feeder array 106(as shown, for example, in FIG. 1C and FIGS. 2A and 2B). In accordancewith an embodiment, the plurality of antenna elements 108A . . . 108Nmay correspond to a micro-strip antenna element, printed on thesubstrate 110, for example, Silicon, Benzocyclobutane, Nylon, FR-4, andthe like.

The receiver circuitry 112 may be further configured to receive anelectrical power signal for the received beam of input RF signals fromthe feeder array 106. The received electrical power signal may bereceived by a plurality of front-end RF components 112A . . . 112N ofthe receiver circuitry 112 from each antenna element or patches of theplurality of antenna elements 108A . . . 108N of the feeder array 106,via electrical buses. The receiver circuitry 112 may be a part of the RFfront-end circuitry and such receiver circuitry 112 may be implementedas an embedded circuitry on the substrate 110 such that each of theplurality of front-end RF components 112A . . . 112N of the receivercircuitry 112 may include at least one of a low noise amplifier (LNA), aphase-shifter (PS) and a variable gain amplifier (VGA), electricallycoupled to one or more one antenna elements of the plurality of antennaelements 108A . . . 108N.

In some embodiments, each antenna element of the plurality of antennaelements 108A . . . 108N of the feeder array 106 may be connected with aspecific front-end RF component of the receiver circuitry 112. In someother embodiments, one or more antenna elements may be configured in asub-array or a patch and each sub-array or patch of antenna elements maybe electrically coupled with a specific front-end RF component of thereceiver circuitry 112, such as 4×4 patch of antenna elements coupledwith an RF front-end component that includes the PS and the LNA.

The control circuitry 114 may be a master control chip, which may beconfigured to set a phase-shift of each antenna element and/or eachpatch of antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements 108A . .. 108N. The phase-shift may be set to facilitate generation of abeamformed and a phase-controlled power signal from the received beam ofinput RF signals at the receiver circuitry 112. The control circuitry114 may be further configured to scan for the received beam of input RFsignals at the feeder array 106 and control different parameters (forexample, a scanning frequency, a scan angle, and a phase) of theplurality of front-end RF components 112A . . . 112N of the receivercircuitry 112 associated with the plurality of antenna elements 108A . .. 108N of the feeder array 106. The control circuitry 114 may be presenton the substrate 110 of the receiver 102A and may be electricallycoupled to the receiver circuitry 112 and the feeder array 106, via aplurality of control buses. The control circuitry 114 may facilitatedigital beamforming and phase-controlled generation of power signalsfrom the first lens 104 beam of input RF signals at the aperture of thefeeder array 106.

With reference to FIG. 1B, there is shown a geometrical arrangement ofthe first lens 104 and the feeder array 106 in the LEPA-configuration.Such geometrical arrangement may include an arrangement of the firstlens 104 in a principal plane 116A and the feeder array 106 arranged ina plane 116B. The principal plane 116A of the first lens 104 may beparallel to the plane 116B of the feeder array 106. The first lens 104may be further associated with an optical axis 116C that may beorthogonal to the principal plane 116A of the first lens 104 and theplane 116B of the feeder array 106. A focal point 116D of the first lens104 may be at a focal length 118A from the principal plane 116A of thefirst lens 104. The plane 116B of the feeder array 106 may lie at adefined distance 118B from the principal plane 116A of the first lens104 such that the defined distance 118B may be less than the focallength 118A of the first lens 104. Alternatively, the defined distancemay be equal to or greater than the focal length of the first lens 104.The first lens 104 and the feeder array 106 may be positioned along acommon axis, such as the optical axis 116C of the first lens 104, inorder to facilitate a wide-beam continuous scan of the feeder array 106of the plurality of antenna elements 108A . . . 108N. In such animplementation, the proximity of the feeder array 106 from the firstlens 104 may advantageously render a thinner configuration for thereceiver 102A and thus, a thinner configuration for the communicationdevice 102. The first lens 104 may have a design (indicated by acustomized permittivity profile or a dielectric profile) that may permitthe first lens 104 to facilitate a scan of multiple beams continuouslyat multiple scan angles and to guide such multi-beams across the feederarray 106. This may enable the feeder array 106 to receive (or transmit)more power per given aperture area of the feeder array 106, as comparedto conventional MIMO receivers/transmitters.

With reference to FIG. 1C, there is shown a RF front-end circuit of thereceiver 102A in the communication device 102. The RF front-end circuitincludes a plurality of front-end RF components 112A . . . 112N coupledwith the plurality of antenna elements 108A . . . 108N of the feederarray 106, and the control circuitry 114 coupled to the plurality offront-end RF components 112A . . . 112N, via one or more electricalbuses. The plurality of antenna elements 108A . . . 108N in the feederarray 106 may be arranged into a plurality of patches of antennaelements, such as a “4×4” patch of micro-strip antenna elementsfabricated on the substrate 110 of the feeder array 106. Within eachpatch of antenna elements, each antenna element may be separated fromneighboring antenna element in a row and a column of the patch by aspecific distance. The specific distance may be less than a wavelength(/λ) of the beam of input RF signals. For example, each antenna elementin the patch of antenna elements may be separated by the specificdistance of “/λ/2”. Further, each patch of antenna elements may furtherinclude a front-end RF component of the receiver circuitry 112. Eachfront-end RF component may be configured to set the phase-shift for thecorresponding antenna element or the patch of antenna elements andfurther output an electrical signal from the corresponding patch of thefeeder array 106. Each front-end RF component of the receiver circuitry112 may further be connected to an electrical bus, which may beconnected to the control circuitry 114. Such interconnection of severalelectrical buses for each patch may form parallel bus architecture onthe feeder array 106. The control circuitry 114 may further providecontrol signals to scan for the beam of input RF signals or set thephase of each antenna element of the feeder array 106 by use of theparallel bus architecture of the feeder array 106.

With reference to FIG. 1D, there is shown a perspective view of thecommunication device 102. The communication device 102 may include thereceiver 102A on the substrate 110, such as a printed circuit board. Inaccordance with an embodiment, the feeder array 106, the receivercircuitry 112, and the control circuitry 114 may be embedded on thesubstrate of the communication device 102. In other embodiments, thefeeder array 106, the receiver circuitry 112, and the control circuitry114 may be implemented on the substrate 110, which may be different fromthe substrate of the receiver 102A. In such an implementation, thefeeder array 106, the receiver circuitry 112, and the control circuitry114 may be implemented as an SOC chip on the substrate of the receiver102A of the communication device 102. In another implementation, thefeeder array 106, the receiver circuitry 112, and the control circuitry114 may be implemented as a Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit (RFIC)chip on the substrate of the receiver 102A of the communication device102.

The first lens 104 or lens array may be externally or internallyintegrated within the receiver 102A. Although not shown, thecommunication device 102 may further include other electricalcomponents, such as a display circuitry, transmitter circuitry, aninput/output (I/O) circuitry and a power/charging circuitry. However,such components have not been shown or described for the sake ofbrevity.

In operation, a beam of input RF signals may be received at the receiver102A (or transmitted by a transmitter) of the communication device 102.The beam of RF signals may correspond to millimeter-wave communicationsignals that may be associated with a frequency band of 4G, 4G LTE, 5G,or nG (i.e. nth generation) spectrums. The beam of input RF signals mayarrive at the receiver 102A from a specific direction of arrival (DOA),measured in angle(s). The receiver 102A may be designed and configuredto enhance the reception of the beam of input RF signals from differentangles of incidence (or DOA) of the beam of RF signals. In accordancewith an embodiment, the receiver 102A may be implemented in a mobiledevice, for example, a smartphone device, to facilitate enhancedreception of the beam of input RF signals. In accordance with anembodiment, the receiver 102A may be implemented in a repeater devicefor enhanced reception and enhanced retransmission of the beam of inputRF signals. In accordance with an embodiment, the receiver 102A may beimplemented in a base station for enhanced reception of the beam ofinput RF signals.

Such enhancement of the reception of the beam of input RF signals may beachieved based on utilization of a LEPA configuration, which include acombination of the first lens 104 of a defined shape and a defineddistribution of dielectric constant and the feeder array 106 of theplurality of antenna elements 108A . . . 108N. The combination of thefirst lens 104 and the feeder array 106 may be configured for at leastone of a spatial beamforming, a beam scanning, a phase and amplitudecontrol, a beam-guiding and a distribution of radiation pattern of thereceived beam of input RF signals. Also, the first lens 104 may have acustomized permittivity profile (i.e. a combination of a lens shape anda homogenous/inhomogeneous distribution of dielectric/non-dielectricmaterials in the first lens 104) such that multiple beam incident on thefirst lens 104 continuously scanned and guided across radiationdeficient regions of the feeder array 106 for a desired gainequalization. By using the feeder array 106 together with the first lens104, i.e. a specifically designed lens, a LEPA configuration is achievedthat offers a thinner form factor as a MIMO receiver and/or a MIMOtransmitter for use in the communication device 102. Whereas inconventional approaches, an array feeder is placed at a focal point of alens. Either the lens or the array feeder is mechanically moved for adiscretized scan for the beam of input RF signals. Whereas, in proposedapproach, only an electronic phase and/or amplitude control may beneeded to execute a continuous scan of the antenna elements of thefeeder array 106.

The beam of input RF signals may exhibit a specific radiation pattern ata specific scan angle of the feeder array 106 with reference to theoptical axis 116C of the first lens 104. For enhanced reception of thebeam of input RF signals, the plane, phase and angle of incidence of thebeams of input RF signals may be scanned to guide the beams of input RFsignals across a desired region of the feeder array 106. The feederarray 106 may be configured to receive a linear or a non-linear delayprogression of an excitation, which may correspond to the beam of inputRF signals. Such linear or non-linear excitation may vary with referenceto a phase, a time-delay, and an amplitude of the beam of input RFsignals at the one or more scan angles across the plurality of antennaelements 108A . . . 108N.

The control circuitry 114 may be configured to electronically scan theplurality of antenna elements 108A . . . 108N of the feeder array 106for the received lens-steered beam of RF signals. The electronic scan ofthe plurality of antenna elements 108A . . . 108N may further correspondto a continuous scan for the received first lens-guided beam of input RFsignals across the feeder array 106 of the plurality of antenna elements108A . . . 108N. A power or gain from the received lens-steered beam ofRF signals may be initially non-uniformly distributed across theplurality of antenna elements 108A . . . 108N of the feeder array 106.Such non-uniform distribution of the gain may be attributed to apresence of a radiation surplus region or a bore sight region and aradiation deficient region or an off-bore sight region on the feederarray 106. The bore sight region may be present near an axis ofsymmetry, such as the optical axis 116C, of the feeder array 106 of theplurality of antenna elements 108A . . . 108N and the off-bore sightregion may include the entire region of the feeder array 106 except thebore sight region of the feeder array 106. For example, for a squarepanel of feeder array 106, the bore sight region may be present around acenter of the square panel, which may further correspond to the point ofsymmetry for the feeder array 106. The non-uniform distribution of thegain may be further equalized across the feeder array 106 to achieveoptimal power output from the received beam of input RF signals atdifferent scan angles for the feeder array 106. Alternatively stated,the equalization of the distribution of the gain from the receivedlens-guided beam of input RF signals may correspond to a distribution ofa radiation pattern of the received first lens-guided beam of input RFsignals from a radiation surplus region to a radiation deficient regionof the feeder array 106.

One or more techniques are described herein for equalization of thedistribution of the gain across the feeder array 106 of the plurality ofantenna elements 108A . . . 108N. In one such technique, the controlcircuitry 114 may be configured to equalize the distribution of the gainfrom the received first lens-guided beam of input RF signals across thefeeder array 106 of the plurality of antenna elements 108A . . . 108N.The distribution of the gain may be equalized based on adjustments inthe phase for each of the plurality of antenna elements 108A . . . 108Nof the feeder array 106 and amplitude levels for different region of thefeeder array 106. Such adjustments in the phase and the amplitude levelsmay be achieved by use of the phase-shifters associated with eachantenna element or each patch of antenna elements. For example, antennaelements in the bore sight region of the feeder array 106 may be phasealigned to receive less power from the beam of input RF signals andantenna elements in the off-bore sight region of the feeder array 106may be phase aligned to receive more power than traditionally harnessed.Such phase-based adjustment of gain and power across the feeder array106 may advantageously facilitate the equalized distribution of the gainacross the feeder array 106.

In another technique, the first lens 104 may be used to guide the beamof input RF signals selectively across the bore sight region and theoff-bore sight region of the feeder array 106. The first lens 104 mayhave a canonical design or a non-canonical design (i.e. a customizeddesign) in accordance with a desired permittivity profile that mayenable the first lens 104 for a continuous scan over a range of scanangles for multiple beams of input RF signals (See FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, and6B). The distribution of the gain from the received first lens-guidedbeam of input RF signals across the feeder array 106 of the plurality ofantenna elements 108A . . . 108N may be equalized based on a definedshape of the first lens 104. The defined shape of the first lens 104 maybe one of a squared lens shape, a rectangular lens shape, or anarbitrary lens shape.

In some embodiments, the equalization of the gain may be achieved byshaping the first lens 104 only without the need to adjust the amplitudeand phase of the feeder array 106 (at receiver end or transmitter end).In other embodiments, the distribution of the gain from the receivedlens-guided beam of input RF signals may be equalized based on thedefined shape of the first lens 104, the defined distribution ofdielectric constant within the first lens 104, and the proximity (or thearrangement) of the feeder array 106 to the first lens 104.

In a specific implementation, the first lens 104 may be suitablyselected with a specific shape, such as a square-shape, to cover thefeeder array 106 of the plurality of antenna elements 108A . . . 108Nsuch that a thinner form factor for the lens-based feeder array may beobtained. Such arrangement may optimally be used to guide the beam ofinput RF signals equitably across the feeder array 106 of the pluralityof antenna elements 108A . . . 108N.

In another technique, the dielectric constant of the first lens 104 mayfurther be modified to selectively guide the beam of input RF signalsacross the plurality of antenna elements 108A . . . 108N of the feederarray 106. The dielectric constant may be modified in accordance with adesired permittivity profile, a wave front specification, such as aparallel wave front, and/or a radiation pattern for the beam of input RFsignals. In accordance with an embodiment, the refractive index or thedielectric constant of the first lens 104 may be modified along a radiusof the first lens 104. In such a configuration, the variation of therefractive index or the dielectric constant may be continuous ordiscretized (or stepwise) along the radius of the first lens 104. Forexample, the refractive index and the dielectric constant of aconcentric dielectric lens (as shown in FIG. 3C) and a perforateddielectric lens (as shown in FIG. 3E) may vary along the radius of theconcentric dielectric lens and the perforated dielectric lens. Inaccordance with an embodiment, the refractive index or the dielectricconstant of the first lens 104 may be varied along a thickness of thefirst lens 104. The variation of the refractive index or the dielectricconstant may be continuous or discretized (or stepwise) along thethickness of the first lens 104. For example, the refractive index andthe dielectric constant of a stacked dielectric lens (as shown in FIG.3D) may vary along the thickness of the stacked dielectric lens.

In other techniques, a defined distance between the first lens 104 andthe feeder array 106 may be selected within a proximity such that thefeeder array 106 may receive excitation from the beam of input RFsignals at different required regions of the feeder array 106 instead ata certain point on the feeder array 106. Therefore, such animplementation may advantageously reduce a time to scan for theexcitations at the feeder array 106 from the lens-guided beam of inputRF signals. Further, with reduction in the spacing of the first lens 104and the feeder array 106, a thinner form factor for the receiver 102Amay be obtained for implementation in a thinner configuration of thecommunication device 102 (as discussed in FIG. 1B).

The received excitations at the feeder array 106 of the plurality ofantenna elements 108A . . . 108N may be further transmitted as an outputto the plurality of front-end RF components 112A . . . 112N of thereceiver circuitry 112 electrically coupled with the feeder array 106.The output signal from each patch of antenna elements of the feederarray 106 may be processed by the plurality of front-end RF components112A . . . 112N of the receiver circuitry 112 for optimum gain levels,noise reductions, a signal to noise ratio improvements (SNR) and signalintegrity establishments (as described in FIGS. 2A and 2B).

In accordance with an embodiment, the output from the feeder array 106may be switched from different regions of the feeder array 106 tooptimally provide the gain from the received beam of input RF signals.The feeder array 106 may advantageously facilitate power switchingacross different regions with much fluid control over output power fromthe feeder array 106 as compared to a discrete set of antennas thatindividually receive the beam of input RF signals. In accordance with anembodiment, the output from the feeder array 106 may be further combinedor summed up by the receiver circuitry 112, in conjunction withinstructions from the control circuitry 114. The combined power signalfrom the received beam of lens-guided RF signals may further exhibitimprovements in a signal to noise ratio (SNR), power levels, and signalintegrity as compared to conventional approaches.

It may be noted that the disclosed LEPA configuration of the first lens104 and the feeder array 106 has been described with regards to thereceiver 102A of the communication device 102. However, the disclosedLEPA configuration may also be used in a transmitter of thecommunication device 102, without a deviation from the scope of thedisclosure. Also, in some embodiments, a transmitter/receiver module inthe receiver 102A may enable the receiver 102A to also act as atransmitter for a duplex communication. More specifically, the disclosedLEPA configuration may operate for both the transmission and receptionof beams of RF signals at same or different frequencies.

FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary transmitter circuitry for a pluralityof antenna elements of the communication device of FIG. 1A, inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 2A isexplained in conjunction with components of FIGS. 1A to 1D. Withreference to FIG. 2A, there is shown a circuit diagram of a transmittercircuitry 200A associated with the plurality of antenna elements 108A .. . 108N of the feeder array 106 of the communication device 102.

The transmitter circuitry 200A may include a plurality of front-end RFcomponents 202 for the plurality of antenna elements 108A . . . 108N ofthe feeder array 106. The plurality of front-end RF components 202 ofthe transmitter circuitry 200A may include a plurality of phase-shifters204A . . . 204N and a plurality of variable gain amplifiers 206A . . .206N coupled electrically to the corresponding plurality of antennaelements 108A . . . 108N. The plurality of phase-shifters 204A . . .204N may be coupled electrically to the plurality of variable gainamplifiers 206A . . . 206N. The output of each front-end RF component inthe transmitter circuitry 200A may correspond to an output power signalcomponent which may be collectively equivalent to a power of a beam ofRF signals transmitted via the plurality of antenna elements 108A . . .108N. Each antenna element may be a micro-strip antenna element on thesubstrate 110 that may be connected to a variable gain amplifier (VGA)of the plurality of variable gain amplifiers 206A . . . 206N. The VGA,such as a phase-inverting variable gain amplifier (PIVGA), may beconfigured to provide a phase shift and a variable gain to an electricalsignal that may be later on transmitted as a beam of RF signals. Each ofthe plurality of variable gain amplifiers 206A . . . 206N may beconfigured to compensate for an insertion loss in each of the pluralityof phase-shifters 204A . . . 204N. Such connection may be followed by aconnection of the VGA with a PS, such as reflection-type phase shifter(RTPS). Each PS may be configured to provide a phase shift (linear ornon-linear) to a corresponding antenna element with a defined angle,such as a 180-degree phase shift. In accordance with an embodiment, thephase shift for each antenna element may be controlled electronically byuse of control signals of the control circuitry 114 with reference to areference phase, such as 0°.

For example, a feeder array 106 for the transmitter circuitry 200A mayinclude “256” antenna elements (A₁, A₂, A₃ . . . A₂₅₆) electricallycoupled to respective “256” front-end RF chips, with each front-end RFchip having a PS and a VGA. The control circuitry 114 may provide“8-bit” phase shift signals for “2⁸”, i.e., “256” antenna elements ofthe feeder array 106. Each of the “8-bit” phase shift signals maycorrespond to a specific phase shift value for the corresponding antennaelement.

In the transmitter circuitry 200A, the plurality of antenna elements ofthe feeder array 106 may be configured to generate a beam of RF signalsthat may be steered in a particular direction based on phase andamplitude adjustments of electrical signals via each VGA of theplurality of variable gain amplifiers 206A . . . 206N and each PS of theplurality of phase-shifters 204A . . . 204N. Also, the first lens 104with the desired permittivity profile may enable the first lens 104 toincrease directivity of one or more beams of RF signals over a range oftransmission angles.

FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary receiver circuitry for a plurality ofantenna elements of the communication device of FIG. 1A, in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 2B is explained inconjunction with components of FIGS. 2A and 1A to 1D. With reference toFIG. 2B, there is shown a circuit diagram of a receiver circuitry 200B(i.e. same as the receiver circuitry 112) associated with the pluralityof antenna elements 108A . . . 108N of the feeder array 106 of thecommunication device 102.

The receiver circuitry 200B may include the plurality of front-end RFcomponents 112A . . . 112N for the plurality of antenna elements 108A .. . 108N of the feeder array 106. The plurality of front-end RFcomponents 112A . . . 112N of the receiver circuitry 112 may include aplurality of phase-shifters 208A . . . 208N and a plurality of low noiseamplifiers 210A . . . 210N coupled electrically to the correspondingplurality of antenna elements 108A . . . 108N. The plurality ofphase-shifters 208A . . . 208N may be electrically coupled to theplurality of the low noise amplifiers 210A . . . 210N. The output ofeach front-end RF component in the receiver circuitry 200B maycorrespond to an output power signal component, which may becollectively equivalent to the received beam of input RF signals,whereas a difference between the output power signals may be reflectedfrom amplifications and associated compensations in the gain from theimplementation of the first lens 104, the amplitude and phase control ofthe receiver circuitry 200B and the feeder array 106.

An LNA, such as a 60-GHz variable-gain LNA, of the plurality of lownoise amplifiers 210A . . . 210N may be coupled with each antennaelement of the plurality of antenna elements 108A . . . 108N. Eachantenna element may be a micro-strip antenna element on the substrate(such as the substrate 110) that may be connected to a correspondingLNA. Each of the plurality of low noise amplifiers 210A . . . 210N maybe configured to provide a coarse gain control, such as a 2-bit gaincontrol, in different control stages. Such connection may be followed bya connection of the LNA with a PS, such as reflection-type phase shifter(RTPS), which may be configured to provide a phase shift to each antennaelement with a defined angle, such as a “180” degree phase shift. Inaccordance with an embodiment, the phase shift for each antenna elementmay be controlled electronically by use of control signals of thecontrol circuitry 114 with reference to a reference phase, such as 0°.

For example, a feeder array 106 of the receiver circuitry 200B mayinclude “256” antenna elements (A₁, A₂, A₃ . . . A₂₅₆) electricallycoupled to respective “256” front-end RF chips, with each front-end RFchip having the LNA and the PS. The control circuitry 114 may provide“8-bit” phase shift signals for “2⁸”, i.e., “256” antenna elements ofthe feeder array 106. Each of the “8-bit” phase shift signals maycorrespond to a specific phase shift value for the corresponding antennaelement.

FIG. 3A illustrates an arrangement of lens over a feeder array ofantenna elements, as an integrated part of the communication device ofFIG. 1A, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.FIG. 3A is explained in conjunction with FIGS. 1A to 1D, 2A, and 2B.With reference to FIG. 3A, there is shown a specific implementation ofthe feeder array 106 of the plurality of antenna elements 108A . . .108N with the first lens 104. In the implementation, the plurality ofantenna elements 108A . . . 108N may not be distributed into differentsub-arrays and a single-lens LEPA configuration may be preferred for adirective guidance for the beam of input RF signals across the feederarray 106 of the plurality of antenna elements 108A . . . 108N. Inaccordance with an embodiment, the first lens 104 may be associated witha square geometry to cover an aperture of the feeder array 106 of theplurality of antenna elements 108A . . . 108N. In other embodiments, thefirst lens 104 may have suitable lens geometry to cover the aperture ofthe feeder array 106. The feeder array 106 may be shown as a 16×16 arrayof the plurality of antenna elements 108A . . . 108N, i.e., 256 antennaelements in the feeder array 106, arranged in the plane 116B that may beparallel to the principal plane 116A of the first lens 104. It may benoted that the number of antenna elements is shown to be 256; however,the number of antenna elements may be more or less than 256, without adeviation from the scope of the present disclosure. Such single-lensLEPA configuration advantageously facilitates an efficient coverage ofthe feeder array 106 without an increase in complexity, a decrease in ascan-angle, or a loss of a gain or a signal-integrity.

In this embodiment, the first lens 104 may also be referred to as a flatlens. The combination of the flat lens and feeder array 106 furtherreduces the lens to system profile. The flat lenses may be a frequencyselective surfaces (FSS)-based lens or a Fresnel-based lens for use in a4G, a 5G-ready (i.e. a 5G NR EN-DC communication device), or 5G-enabledcommunication device.

FIG. 3B illustrates another arrangement of lenses over a feeder array ofantenna elements, as an integrated part of the communication device ofFIG. 1A, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.FIG. 3A is explained in conjunction with FIGS. 1A to 1D, 2A, and 2B.With reference to FIG. 3B, there is shown an alternate implementation ofa lens array of a plurality of lenses 302A-302D in conjunction with thefeeder array 106 of the plurality of antenna elements 108A . . . 108N.

In such an implementation, the feeder array 106 of the plurality ofantenna elements 108A . . . 108N may be partitioned into one or moresub-arrays, for example, 4 sub-arrays of 2×2 arrangements. Each of theone or more sub-arrays may comprise a defined number of antennaelements, such as each sub-array having 64 antenna elements. Theplurality of lenses 302A-302D may be aligned and positioned over the oneor more sub-arrays of the feeder array 106 of the plurality of antennaelements 108A . . . 108N such that each lens may specifically target adedicated region of the feeder array 106.

In the aforementioned implementation, the feeder array 106 of 16×16antenna elements may be partitioned into four 8×8 sub-arrays. Each ofthe four 8×8 sub-arrays may comprise 64 antenna elements. A lens arrayof “4 lenses” may be positioned above the aperture of each sub-array ofthe feeder array 106. In another implementation, a lens array of 2lenses may be used to cover each of two 8×8 arrays. Therefore, thearrangement and number of lenses in the lens array may vary in numberand size depending on requirements and design constraints. It may benoted that the lens array comprises 4 square lenses. However, the lensarray may comprise more or less than 4 lenses of a suitable shape and asize. Such lens array-based LEPA configuration may advantageouslyfacilitate equalization of the gain from the received beam of input RFsignals across different non-uniformly excited regions of the feederarray 106. The non-uniformly excited regions of the feeder array 106 maybe associated with an overall aperture of the plurality of antennaelements 108A . . . 108N that receives the beam of RF signalsdifferentially (or non-uniformly) across different regions of theaperture of the plurality of antenna elements (108A . . . 108N), forexample, a bore sight region and an off-bore sight region of the feederarray 106. Each lens of the lens array may be selectively modified tohave different dielectric properties, which may further providedifferent angles of steer for the received beam of input RF signals.

The plurality of lenses 302A-302D in the lens array may be arranged toprovide a modular solution, where each lens may cover one or moreantenna modules (i.e. sub-arrays of the feeder array 106).Alternatively, a single lens may be arranged over the plurality ofantenna elements 108A . . . 108N to cover the entire aperture area ofthe feeder array 106 (as shown in FIG. 3A). The feeder array 106 (i.e.one full phase array) may also be arranged by tiling multiple sub-arraysof antenna elements. The modularity in arrangement of lenses orsub-arrays may render a solution that may be adapted for a desireddirectivity, gain requirements, form factor for different device sizes,space constraints, scan-angles, gain equalization, and/or other hardwareconstraints.

In the modular solution, such modular lenses enable having a reducedthickness profile for the communication device 102 (or the repeater 804(FIG. 8) at no expense on the scanning range. Further, it is easier andcost-effective to fabricate smaller modular lenses as compared to onelens having a larger size. Moreover, such modular lenses allow formulti-beam configurations.

FIG. 3C illustrates a dielectric lens with an inhomogeneous distributionof dielectric constant for use in the communication device of FIG. 1A,in connection with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 3C isexplained in conjunction with FIGS. 1A to 1D, 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B. Withreference to FIG. 3C, there is shown a dielectric lens 304 for use asthe first lens 104 within the receiver 102A of the communication device102.

The dielectric lens 304 may merely be an example of a type of lens thatmay be implemented in the receiver 102A of the communication device 102,as discussed in for example, M. Imbert, A. Papio, F. De Flaviis, L.Jofre et al, “Design and performance evaluation of a dielectric flatlens antenna for millimeter-wave applications,” Antennas and WirelessPropagation Letters, IEEE, vol. 14, pp. 342-345, 2015, which isincorporated herein in their entireties by reference.

Initially, a particular permittivity profile for the dielectric lens 304is determined. The particular permittivity profile may be used todesign, select, or customize the dielectric lens 304 to achieve adesired beam steer, an optimization of multi-beam scans, a continuousscan of the feeder array 106 over a wide range of scan angles, a desiredgain equalization, and a desired transmit/receive power.

The dielectric lens 304 may exhibit an inhomogeneous distribution ofdielectric constant, which may vary along one or more concentric layers306A-306E. The dielectric lens 304 may include one or more concentriclayers of the one or more dielectric materials. For a five-layerdielectric lens, the one or more concentric layers 306A-306E may includea first layer 306A, a second layer 306B, a third layer 306C, a fourthlayer 306D, and a fifth layer 306E of a specific dielectric material ofthe one or more dielectric materials. Each concentric layer of thedielectric lens 304 may be of a width 308, which may be selectivelyoptimized to achieve desired steering angles and scan angles for thebeam of input RF signals across the feeder array 106 of the plurality ofantenna elements 108A . . . 108N.

Each concentric layer in the dielectric lens 304 may be made of aspecific dielectric material to obtain an inhomogeneous distributionalong radii of the dielectric lens 304. By use of the inhomogeneousdistribution of dielectric material, the dielectric lens 304 maydifferentially guide the beam of input RF signals, incident at a certainscan angle, equitably across a radiation surplus region to a radiationdeficient region of the feeder array 106 of the plurality of antennaelements 108A . . . 108N. Such inhomogeneous distribution of dielectricconstant may facilitate equalization of the gain from the beam of inputRF signals across the aperture of the feeder array 106. Whereas,conventionally the gain may be distributed significantly over the boresight region (0° with respect to perpendicular to the plane 116B of thefeeder array 106) of the feeder array 106 than on the off-bore sightregion.

In a specific implementation, the dielectric lens 304 may include “5concentric layers” of different materials with different permittivityvalues. Each concentric layer may be used to produce a desired phasedelay in the beam of input RF signals when the dielectric lens 304 maybe excited by the beam of input RF signals. Beam steering may beachieved by use of permittivity variation with each concentric layer ofthe dielectric lens 304.

FIG. 3D illustrates a dielectric lens with stacked layers of dielectricmaterial for use in the communication device 102 of FIG. 1A, inconnection with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 3D isexplained in conjunction with FIGS. 1A to 1D, 2A, 2B, and 3A to 3C. Withreference to FIG. 3D, there is shown a dielectric lens 310 for use asthe first lens 104 within the receiver 102A of the communication device102.

The dielectric lens 310 may merely be an example of a type of lens thatmay be implemented in the receiver 102A of the communication device 102,as discussed in, for example, T. McManus, R. Mittra et al, “Acomparative study of flat and profiled lenses” Antennas and PropagationSociety International Symposium (APSURSI), 2012 IEEE, vol., no., pp.1-2, 8-14 Jul. 2012, which is incorporated herein in its entirety byreference.

Initially, a particular permittivity profile for the dielectric lens 310is determined. The particular permittivity profile may be used todesign, select, or customize the dielectric lens 310 to achieve adesired beam steer, an optimization of multi-beam scans, a continuousscan of the feeder array 106 over a wide range of scan angles, a desiredgain equalization, and a desired transmit/receive power.

The dielectric lens 310 may include a plurality of stacked layers312A-312E, which may be made of one or more dielectric materials. Theone or more stacked layers may include a first stacked layer 312A, asecond stacked layer 312B, a third stacked layer 312C, a fourth stackedlayer 312D, and a fifth stacked layer 312E of the one or more dielectricmaterials. Each stacked layer of the dielectric lens 310 may be of adefined thickness and may be made of a specific dielectric material.Additionally, the thickness of the dielectric lens varies discretelyfrom center to a periphery of the dielectric lens, along a radius. Thethickness of the dielectric lens 310, at any point on the radius of thedielectric lens may be equal to an arithmetic sum of the correspondingthickness for each vertically stacked layer of the dielectric material.The thickness of the dielectric lens 310 may be selectively optimizedfor achieving desired directive steering of the beam of input RF signalsacross the feeder array 106 of the plurality of antenna elements 108A .. . 108N.

Each stacked layer in the dielectric lens 310 may be made of a specificdielectric material to obtain a dielectric distribution along a depth ora thickness of the dielectric lens 310. The dielectric lens 310 maydifferentially guide the beam of input RF signals, incident at a certainscan angle, equitably across a radiation surplus region to a radiationdeficient region of the feeder array 106 of the plurality of antennaelements 108A . . . 108N. Such distribution of dielectric constant mayfacilitate equalization of gain incident on the aperture of the feederarray 106. Whereas, conventionally the gain may be distributedsignificantly over a bore sight region (0° with respect to perpendicularto the plane 116B of the feeder array 106) than on the off-bore sightregion of the feeder array 106.

FIG. 3E illustrates a dielectric lens with perforations for use in thecommunication device 102 of FIG. 1A, in connection with an exemplaryembodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 3E is explained in conjunction withFIGS. 1A to 1D, 2A, 2B, and 3A to 3D. With reference to FIG. 3E, thereis shown a perforated dielectric lens 314 for use as the first lens 104within the receiver 102A of the communication device 102.

The perforated dielectric lens 314 may merely be an example of a type oflens that may be implemented in the receiver 102A of the communicationdevice 102, as discussed in for example, M. Imbert, A. Papio, F. DeFlaviis, L. Jofre et al, “Design and performance evaluation of adielectric flat lens antenna for millimeter-wave applications,” Antennasand Wireless Propagation Letters, IEEE, vol. 14, pp. 342-345, 2015,which is incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.

Initially, a particular permittivity profile for the perforateddielectric lens 314 may be determined. The particular permittivityprofile may be used to design, select, or customize the perforateddielectric lens 314 to achieve a desired beam steer, an optimization ofmulti-beam scans, a continuous scan of the feeder array 106 over a widerange of scan angles, a desired gain equalization, and a desiredtransmit/receive power.

The perforated dielectric lens 314 may include a homogeneousdistribution of dielectric constant that varies with each of a pluralityof perforations 316. The homogenous variation in the dielectric constantmay be obtained from a lattice of perforations in a dielectric slab or acylinder such that each perforation may include a dielectric, such asair. An overall permittivity and the dielectric constant for eachcorresponding perforation may be varied from a non-perforated region toa perforated region of the perforated dielectric lens 314.

In some cases, a relative permittivity for each perforation on a singlelayer of a substrate of the perforated dielectric lens 314 may beassociated with a diameter of each perforation and a distance betweeneach neighboring perforation. The distribution of relative permittivityvalues for the perforated dielectric lens 314 may be varied based onadjustments of the diameter and the distance between the neighboringperforations. The perforated dielectric lens 314 may correspond to aFresnel lens with each perforation corresponding to a Fresnel zone inthe perforated dielectric lens 314 and therefore, such perforations mayfacilitate a beam scan in multiple planes and at higher scan angles ascompared to planar uniform flat lens.

FIG. 3F illustrates an off-centered lens for use in the communicationdevice 102 of FIG. 1A, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of thedisclosure. FIG. 3F is explained in conjunction with FIGS. 1A to 1D, 2A,2B, and 3A to 3E. With reference to FIG. 3F, there is shown anoff-centered lens 318 as first lens 104 within the receiver 102A of thecommunication device 102.

Initially, a particular permittivity profile for the off-centered lens318 may be determined. The particular permittivity profile may be usedto design, select, or customize the off-centered lens 318 to achieve adesired beam steer, an optimization of multi-beam scans, a continuousscan of the feeder array 106 over a wide range of scan angles, a desiredgain equalization, and a desired transmit/receive power.

The off-centered lens 318 may include one or more mechanically titledmodules 322 associated with a substrate 320. The one or moremechanically titled modules 322 may be configured to provide acorresponding angular offset to the received first lens-steered beam ofinput RF signals for the feeder array 106 of the plurality of antennaelements 108A . . . 108N. The angular offset obtained from each of theone or more mechanically titled modules 322 may be utilized to set theoff-centered lens 318 for a specific scan angle for an incident beam ofRF signals from a specific angle of incidence. Additionally, theoff-centered lens 318 may facilitate an equalized distribution of theinput beam of RF signals across the feeder array 106 of the plurality ofantenna elements 108A . . . 108N 308A . . . 308N based on guidance ofthe beam of input RF signals equitably across the radiation surplusregion and the radiation deficient region of the feeder array 106.

The off-centered lens 318 may also be referred to as an offset lens. Anoffset lens is defined as a lens in which the maximum gain is not at thebroadside but at a tilted angle (i.e. off-centered with a fix scanningoffset in a scanning direction). In accordance with another embodiment,the off-centered lens 318 may not include one or more mechanicallytitled modules 322. In such embodiment, the offset lens is useful andconvenient when it is required to scan around a tilted angle withoutincreasing the size of the assembly i.e., the lens-to-feeder arraydistance. In other words, the offset lens adds an angular offset tofacilitate the scanning around a certain elevation angle without arequirement of mechanically tilted modules which increases the size ofthe assembly i.e., the lens-to-feeder array distance or thelens-to-system board distance is minimum (e.g. a system board 1202 isshown in FIG. 12 in an example). The offset lens may be produced using anon-symmetrical permittivity profile (i.e. an asymmetric shape of theoff-center lens).

FIG. 4A illustrates a conventional arrangement of lens-based antennasfor discretized scanning of antenna elements of a conventionalcommunication device. With reference to FIG. 4A, there is shown aconventional arrangement 400A of lens-based antennas ofreceivers/transmitters of a conventional communication device.

In the conventional arrangement 400A, there is shown a lens 402 arrangedover a first antenna element 404A, and a second antenna element 404B.The lens 402 may be a canonical lens, such as a convex lens. The firstantenna element 404A and the second antenna element 404B may be separatephase array antennas on a common substrate or a different substrate. Theconventional arrangement 400A of the lens 402, the first antenna element404A, and the second antenna element 404B may be implemented in one ofor both a receiver and transmitter of the conventional communicationdevice.

In the conventional arrangement 400A, the first antenna element 404A andthe second antenna element 404B may be at a distance that is equal tothe focal length of the lens 402. Each antenna element may receive adifferent beam of input RF signal, such as a beam 406A for the firstantenna element 404A and a beam 406B for the second antenna element404B. In order to scan for a corresponding beam of input RF signals atthe aperture of antenna elements, the lens 402 may need to be shiftedsuch that an individual antenna element (such as the first antennaelement 404A) is at a focal point 408 of the lens 402. This may create adiscontinuity while scanning of the individual antenna element, such asthe first antenna element 404A or the second antenna element 404B. Also,with a discontinuous scan, the overall scanning time may also increasewhich may lead to a delay in TX/RX of data at the receiver/transmitterend of the conventional communication device. Also, an overall gain fromthe received beam of input RF signals may be lower than a desired gaindue to a delay caused by the discontinuous scan.

FIG. 4B illustrates an exemplary lens-based feeder array arrangement forcontinuous scanning of phase array antenna elements of the communicationdevice of FIG. 1A, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG. 4A is explained in conjunction with FIGS. 1A to 1D, 2A, 2B, and 3Ato 3F. With reference to FIG. 4A, there is shown an exemplary lens-basedfeeder array arrangement 400B of the communication device 102.

In the exemplary lens-based feeder array arrangement 400B, there isshown a lens 410 and a feeder array of antenna elements 412A . . . 412Dpresent proximal to the lens 410, as compared to the conventionalarrangement 400A of FIG. 4A. The lens 410 may be same as the lens 402 ormay be a non-canonical lens of a customized shape and a desiredpermittivity profile. The feeder array of antenna elements 412A . . .412D may be present at the defined distance from the lens 410. Thedefined distance is less than the focal length (i.e. a distance from afocal point 414) of the lens 410. Alternatively, the defined distancemay be greater than the focal length of the lens 410.

The exemplary lens-based feeder array arrangement 400B supports amulti-beam scan of RF signals at the feeder array of antenna elements412A . . . 412D. The exemplary lens-based feeder array arrangement 400Bmay provide a solution to scan a plurality of beams 416A . . . 416N overa wide range of scan angles. The plurality of beams 416A . . . 416N maybe scanned based on a control over phase and amplitude parameters foreach antenna element of the feeder array of antenna elements 412A . . .412D. This may facilitate a continuous scan without a need to physicallymove the lens 410 or the feeder array of antenna elements 412A . . .412D. Also, in some cases, the lens 410 may have a permittivity profilethat may help to guide each beam of the plurality of beams 416A . . .416N to a particular antenna element or a sub-array of antenna elementsof the feeder array of antenna elements 412A . . . 412D.

Traditionally beam scanning with lenses is achieved by moving the singlesource feed along a line parallel to the lens at the focal pointdistance. For example, when the source is at the focal point 414, a beampointing towards broadside is created. Moving the feed to the left willproduce a beam scanning towards the right side. This is referred to asdiscrete beam switching. On the contrary, in the present disclosure,continuous beam scanning in a lens can be achieved using the feederarray and then selecting and/or combining a set of antennas (theplurality of antenna elements) in the feeder array and applying specificprogressive phases to those set of antennas.

FIG. 5A illustrates an exemplary lens enhanced phase array (LEPA)configuration for the communication device of FIG. 1A, in accordancewith an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 5A is explained inconjunction with elements from FIGS. 1A to 1D, 2A, 2B, and 3A to 3F.With reference to FIG. 5A, there is shown an exemplary LEPAconfiguration 500A.

In the exemplary LEPA configuration 500A, there is shown a dielectriclens 502 and a feeder array of antenna elements 504 proximal to thedielectric lens 502 by a defined distance that may be less than thefocal length (i.e. from a focal point 506) of the dielectric lens 502.The dielectric lens 502 may be an example of the first lens 104 for usein the communication device 102. The dielectric lens 502 may have acanonical lens shape, such as a convex aperture and a rectangular shape,and a permittivity profile that facilitates a multi-beam scan across awide range of scan angles. The feeder array of antenna elements 504 maybe phase array antennas on a substrate, with each phase array antennaspaced apart from a neighboring phase array antenna by a distance, suchas “/λ/2”. Here, /λ is the wavelength of a beam of RF signals.

The exemplary LEPA configuration 500A facilitates a continuous scan formultiple beams of RF signals incident on the aperture of the feederarray of antenna elements 504 from different incident angles (ordirections). Multiple peaks in Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power(EIRP, in decibel-meter or dBm) may be observed based on a continuousscan for multiple beams of RF signals across the feeder array of antennaelements 504. The exemplary LEPA configuration 500A may includefeatures, given as follows:

-   1. Shape of the dielectric lens 502 that causes generation of a near    flat scanning response (in terms of peaks of EIRP, as shown in FIG.    5B).-   2. Permittivity profile that facilitates equalization of gain across    different regions of the feeder array of antenna elements 504.-   3. Distance of the dielectric lens 502 from the feeder array of    antenna elements 504 that leads to a thinner form factor for the    exemplary LEPA configuration 500A.

It is advantageous to use a feeder array (i.e. a feeder array of antennaelements 504) placed closer to a first lens (e.g. the dielectric lens502 (FIG. 5A); first lens 902, 1002, 1302, or 1402 (FIGS. 9A, 10, 13,and 14)) instead of a single element at the focal point 506. By usingthe feeder array, it is possible to mimic the fields that the lensusually captures (i.e. “see”) from a source at the focal point 506. Thisenables or provides a reduction in the thickness of the lens solution,i.e. the lens-antenna assembly or the lens-system board assembly).

FIG. 5B illustrates an exemplary plot of radiation pattern of multiplebeams across a range of scan angles for the exemplary lens enhancedphase array (LEPA) configuration of FIG. 5B, in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 5B is explained in conjunction withelements from FIGS. 1A to 1D, 2A, 2B, 3A to 3F, and 5A.

In FIG. 5B, there is shown an exemplary plot 500B of a radiation patternof multiple beams across a range of scan angles for the dielectric lens502 proximal to the feeder array of antenna elements 504. The exemplaryplot 500B is between EIRP values for different beams of RF signalsversus angles (i.e. angle in degrees) that represents differentdirections for TX/RX of multiple beams of RF signals. The EIRP valuesmay correspond to product of a power (in dB) of a transmitter circuitry(such as the transmitter circuitry 200A) and an antenna gain in aparticular direction (measured in the angles).

As shown, the exemplary plot 500B includes multiple peaks at differentangles, i.e. for different directions of antenna gain based on acontinuous scan of multiple beams of RF signals. Each beam maycorrespond to a different direction or different scan angle. Thescanning response (measured from a pattern of peaks in the exemplaryplot 500B) appears to be nearly flat at “35 dBm”. More specifically, thescanning response remains flat for a specific range of angles, such asin a range of “−30 to +30” degrees and decreases for other angles. Theangles (or directions in which antenna gain is measured) spans from “−90degrees to +90” degrees, i.e. a total of “180” degrees. Thus, theexemplary LEPA configuration 500A may help to scan the beams at widerrange of scan angles as compared to conventional approaches. Thedielectric lens 502 may further help to steer beams (or distribute thebeams across the feeder array of antenna elements 504) at differentangles (even in off-axis directions) to achieve desired antenna gainand/or directivity.

FIG. 6A illustrates an exemplary lens enhanced phase array (LEPA)configuration for the communication device of FIG. 1A, in accordancewith an embodiment of the disclosure. With reference to FIG. 6A, thereis shown an exemplary LEPA configuration 600A.

In the exemplary LEPA configuration 600A, there is shown a shapeddielectric lens 602 and a feeder array of antenna elements 604 proximalto the shaped dielectric lens 602 by a defined distance that may be lessthan the focal length (i.e. from a focal point 606) of the shapeddielectric lens 602. The shaped dielectric lens 502 may be an example ofthe first lens 104 for use in the communication device 102. The shapeddielectric lens 602 may have a non-canonical lens shape, such ashomogeneous hemi elliptic (or hemispherical) lens shape, and anon-canonical aperture. The shaped dielectric lens 602 may be designedas per a desired permittivity profile. The desired permittivity profilemay facilitate a multi-beam scan and a flat scanning response (as shownin FIG. 6B) across a wide range of scanned angles. The feeder array ofantenna elements 604 may be phase array antennas on a substrate, witheach phase array antenna spaced apart from a neighboring phase arrayantenna by a distance, such as “/λ/2”. Here, /λ is the wavelength of abeam of RF signals.

The exemplary LEPA configuration 600A facilitates a continuous scan formultiple beams of RF signals incident on the aperture of the feederarray of antenna elements 604 from different incident angles (ordirections). Multiple peaks in EIRP values may be observed based on acontinuous scan for multiple beams of RF signals across the feeder arrayof antenna elements 604. The exemplary LEPA configuration 600A mayemploy features, given as follows:

-   1. Customized lens shape for the shaped dielectric lens 602 that    causes generation of the flat scanning response (in terms of peaks    of EIRP, as shown in FIG. 6B).-   2. Custom Permittivity profile that facilitates equalization of gain    across different regions of the feeder array of antenna elements 604    and no degradation of directivity for off-axis feeds of power).-   3. Distance of the shaped dielectric lens 602 from the feeder array    of antenna elements 604 that leads to a thinner form factor for the    exemplary LEPA configuration 600A.

In some cases, the exemplary LEPA configuration 600A may employ a jointoptimization of the lens shape and parameters associated with the feederarray of antenna elements 604. The joint optimization may lead to aminimization of directivity degradation for off-axis feeds (or beams ofRF signals). The feeder array of antenna elements 604 may be designedwith a stable beam profile for all feeds (with no or minimum directivitydegradation for off-axis feeds of beams of RF signals). Such design mayhelp to efficiently focus beams of RF signals that propagate parallel toa lens axis, on the feeder array of antenna elements 604. Also, thedesign may enable a direct mount of the shaped dielectric lens 602 on adielectric substrate of a desired form factor.

The exemplary LEPA configuration 600A may be suitable up to K-band (“18to 27 GHz”) but may be less suitable for higher frequencies due tointegration complexity of the shaped dielectric lens 602 and the feederarray of antenna elements 604 in a given form factor. The exemplary LEPAconfiguration 600A may exhibit an improved performance due to asuppression of the side-lobe levels and reduction of the off-axisdistortion of beams of RF signals. The performance of the feeder arrayof antenna elements 604 for the exemplary LEPA configuration 600A maydepend on whether the shaped dielectric lens 602 gets illuminated by auniformly-spaced array of non-identical feeds (i.e. beams of RF signals)or an array of non-identical feeds.

FIG. 6B illustrates an exemplary plot of radiation pattern of beamsacross a range of scan angles for a lens customized for the exemplarylens enhanced phase array (LEPA) configuration of FIG. 6A, in accordancewith an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 6B is explained inconjunction with elements from FIGS. 1A to 1D, 2A, 2B, 3A to 3F, and 6A.

In FIG. 6B, there is shown an exemplary plot 600B of a radiation patternof multiple beams across a range of scan angles for the shapeddielectric lens 602 proximal to the feeder array of antenna elements604. The exemplary plot 600B is between EIRP values for different beamsof RF signals versus scanned angles (i.e. a scanned angle in degrees)that represents different directions for TX/RX of multiple beams of RFsignals. The EIRP values may correspond to product of a power (in dB) ofa transmitter circuitry (such as the transmitter circuitry 200A) and anantenna gain in a particular direction (measured as the scanned angles).

As shown, the exemplary plot 600B includes multiple peaks at differentscanned angles, i.e. for different directions of antenna gain based on acontinuous scan of multiple beams of RF signals. Each beam maycorrespond to a different direction or a different scanned angle. Thescanning response (measured from a pattern of peaks) appears flat at “40dBm”. More specifically, the scanning response remains flat for fewscanned angles, such as for a range of “−20 to +20” degrees. The scannedangles span from “−90 degrees to +90” degrees, i.e. a total of “180”degrees. Thus, the exemplary LEPA configuration 600A may help to scanthe beams at wider range of scan angles as compared to conventionalapproaches. The shaped dielectric lens 602 may further help to steerbeams (or distribute the beams across the feeder array of antennaelements 604) at different angles (even in off-axis directions) toachieve desired antenna gain and/or directivity.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart that illustrates exemplary operations forequalized distribution of received input RF signals across feeder arrayof the communication device, in accordance with an exemplary embodimentof the disclosure. FIG. 7 is explained in conjunction with FIGS. 1A to1D, 2A, 2B, and 3A to 3F. With reference to FIG. 7, there is shown aflow chart 700 that includes exemplary operations from 702 through 712.The exemplary operations gain-equalized reception of input RF signalsvia the exemplary receiver may start at 702 and proceed to 704.

At 704, the first lens 104 guided beam of input RF signals steeredthrough the first lens 104. The feeder array 106 of the plurality ofantenna elements 108A . . . 108N may be configured to receive the firstlens-guided beam of input RF signals through the first lens 104. Suchreception of the beam of input RF signals may further be done inconjunction with a phase and amplitude control of the control circuitry114.

At 706, continuous scan for the received first lens-guided beam of inputRF signals may be performed across the feeder array 106 of the pluralityof antenna elements 108A . . . 108N. The control circuitry 114 may beconfigured to continuously scan for the received first lens-guided beamof input RF signals across the feeder array 106. Such continuous scanmay be facilitated by use of phase array antennas instead of singleantennas for reception of the beam of input RF signals.

At 708, distribution of gain for the received first lens 104 guided beamof input RF signals may be equalized across the feeder array 106 of theplurality of antenna elements 108A . . . 108N. In one implementation,the first lens 104 may equalize the distribution of the gain of thereceived first lens 104 guided beam of input RF signals across thefeeder array 106 of the plurality of antenna elements 108A . . . 108N.In other implementation, the control circuitry 114 may be configured toequalize the distribution of the gain of the received first lens 104guided beam of input RF signals across the feeder array 106 of theplurality of antenna elements 108A . . . 108N.

At 710, gain-equalized output signal may be received from the pluralityof antenna elements 108A . . . 108N of the feeder array 106. Thereceiver circuitry 112 may be configured to receive the gain-equalizedoutput signals from the plurality of antenna elements 108A . . . 108N ofthe feeder array 106.

At 712, the received gain equalized output signal may be combined togenerate a power-combined output signal obtain an output signal. A powercombiner in the receiver circuitry 112 may be configured to combine thereceived gain equalized output signals to generate a power-combinedoutput signal. Control passes to end.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary communication environment for atransmission and a reception of RF communication signals, in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 8 is explained inconjunction with FIGS. 1A to 1D, 2A, 2B, 3A to 3F, and 7. With referenceto FIG. 8, there is shown an exemplary communication environment 800that includes a base station 802, a repeater 804, and a smartphone 806,communicatively coupled to at least the repeater 804 and the basestation 802 through the RF communication signals.

The base station 802 may correspond to an electronic assembly of a BaseTransceiver Station (BTS) and a Base Station Controller (BSC) forgeneration, transmission and reception of the RF communication signalsfrom different signal sources and sinks. One of such signalsources/sinks may be the smartphone 806 that may be present in aline-of-sight (LOS) or a non-line-of-sight (NLOS) region of the basestation 802. The repeater 804 may be further present within the LOS orNLOS region of the base station 802 or the smartphone 806, andtherefore, the repeater 804 may receive and boost the RF communicationsignals transmitted from at least the smartphone 806 and the basestation 802 of the exemplary communication environment 800.

In an implementation, the base station 802 may implement the receiver102A, which may be configured to receive RF input beams at differentscan angles and equalize the distribution of the received RF input beamsacross the feeder array 106 of the plurality of antenna elements 108A .. . 108N. The base station 802 may be configured to receive and processthe RF input beams from either of the LOS or the NLOS regions of thesignal sources/sinks. Further, the implementation of the receiver 102Awith the feeder array 106 of antenna elements facilitates the basestation 802 to switch to a specific sub-array of the feeder array 106 toreceive RF input beams from specific incident angle. The use of feederarray 106 in the receiver 102A of the base station 802 mayadvantageously facilitate continuous scanning of the feeder array 106 ofthe plurality of antenna elements 108A . . . 108N, and therefore, mayreduce a delay in scanning the one or more beams of the RF signalsacross the aperture of the feeder array 106. In such an implementation,the base station 802 may be a 4G or a 5G base station to facilitateTX/RX of 4G or 5G RF communication signals.

In another implementation, the repeater 804 may implement the receiver102A, which may be configured to receive RF input beams from differentscan angles and equalize the distribution of the received RF input beamsacross the feeder array 106 of the plurality of antenna elements 108A .. . 108N. The repeater 804 may be configured to receive and process theRF input beams from either of the LOS or the NLOS regions of the signalsources/sinks. Further, the implementation of the receiver 102A with thefeeder array 106 of antenna elements facilitates the receiver 102A toswitch to a specific sub-array of the feeder array 106 to receive RFinput beams from specific incident angle. The use of feeder array 106 inthe receiver 102A of the repeater 804 may advantageously facilitatecontinuous scanning of the feeder array 106 of the plurality of antennaelements 108A . . . 108N, and therefore, may reduce a delay in scanningthe one or more beams of the RF signals across the aperture of thefeeder array 106. In such an implementation, the repeater 804 may be a4G or a 5G repeater to facilitate TX/RX of 4G or 5G RF communicationsignals.

In yet another implementation, the smartphone 806 may implement thereceiver 102A, which may be configured to receive RF input beams fromdifferent scan angles and equalize the distribution of the received RFinput beams across the feeder array 106 of the plurality of antennaelements 108A . . . 108N. The smartphone 806 may be configured toreceive and process the RF input beams from either of the LOS or theNLOS regions of the signal sources/sinks. Further, the implementation ofthe receiver 102A with the feeder array 106 of antenna elementsfacilitates the receiver 102A to switch to a specific sub-array of thefeeder array 106 to receive RF input beams from specific incident angle.The use of feeder array 106 in the receiver 102A of the smartphone 806may advantageously facilitate continuous scanning of the feeder array106 of the plurality of antenna elements 108A . . . 108N, and therefore,may reduce a delay in scanning the one or more beams of the RF signalsacross the aperture of the feeder array 106. In such an implementation,the smartphone 806 may be a 4G or a 5G smartphone to facilitate TX/RX of4G or 5G RF communication signals.

The present disclosure provides several advantages over prior arts. Thepresent disclosure provides a solution to improve power gain for thereceived beam of RF signals without an increase in the area of thefeeder array 106 or a number of antenna elements in the feeder array106. The use of different lens configurations, with different shapes,sizes and geometries advantageously facilitates beam scanning at widerangles and a beam steering for desired regions of the feeder array 106.Such advantageous use may further facilitate equalized distribution ofreceived RF power from RF signals at the feeder array 106 of thereceiver 102A. The current LEPA configuration of the receiver 102Afacilitates robust communication for millimeter wave communications andat frequency bands and data rates that support the 4G and 5G standards.The proximity of the first lens 104 and the feeder array 106 in the LEPAconfiguration further renders a thinner form-factor for the receiver102A and the communication device 102, which advantageously reduces athickness of the communication device 102 and further mitigate designconstraints for such receivers. By use of phase array antennas with suchproximity to the feeder array 106, a continuous scan for excitationsfrom the beam of RF signals can be done at the feeder array 106 insteadof a discretized scan for each individual antenna element in currentsolutions.

FIG. 9A is a schematic side view of an exemplary shaped lens on anantenna array in a LEPA configuration for the communication device ofFIG. 1A, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 9A isexplained in conjunction with elements from FIGS. 1A to 1D, 2A, 2B, 3Ato 3F, 7, and 8. With reference to FIG. 9A, there is shown a first lens902 of a defined shape having a base 904, a first tubular membrane 906,and a second membrane 908. There is further shown a side view of afeeder array 910. The feeder array 910 may correspond to the feederarray 106 (FIG. 1A). The feeder array 910 may be positioned in aspecified proximal distance 912 from the base 904 of the first lens 902to receive a first lens-guided beam of input RF signals through thesecond membrane 908 of the first lens 902. The specified proximaldistance 912 refers to a distance that is less than a focal length ofthe first lens 902. The feeder array 910 is positioned in a plane suchthat an axis 914 of the first lens is orthogonal to the plane of thefeeder array 910.

It is advantageous to use the feeder array 910 (having a plurality ofantenna elements) placed closer to the first lens 902 (i.e. when thespecified proximal distance 912 is less than a focal length of the firstlens 902) instead of a single antenna element at a focal point of thefirst lens 902. This reduces the thickness of the lens solution, i.e. alens-feeder array assembly or the lens-system board assembly). By usingthe feeder array 910, it is possible to mimic the fields at thespecified proximal distance 912 that the first lens usually captures(i.e. “see”) from a source at the focal point.

The first tubular membrane 906 may be connected to the base 904. Thebase 904 has a first shape and the second membrane 908 has a secondshape arranged as a cap on the first tubular membrane 906. The firstshape is different from the second shape. As shown, the first lens 902of the defined shape is arranged on the feeder array 910 to cover thefeeder array 910 as a radome enclosure. The first shape of the base 904may be complementary to a shape of the feeder array 910 to fit on thefeeder array 910 as the radome enclosure. In accordance with anembodiment, the first shape of the base 904 is a square shape and thesecond shape of the second membrane 908 is a semi-circular shape. Inaccordance with another embodiment, the second membrane 908 is at leastone of a pentagonal pyramid, a parabola, a square-shaped pyramid, afrustum, or an arbitrary shape configured to substantially equalize thedistribution of the gain across the feeder array 910 such that aplurality of antenna elements of the feeder array 910 are excitable witha plurality of lens-guided beams of input RF signals at differentscanning angles with substantially equal gain.

A distance from the base 904 to the second membrane 908 defines a length916 of the first tubular membrane 906. In accordance with an embodiment,the first tubular membrane 906 has a varying cross-section along thelength 916 of the first tubular membrane 906. In accordance with anotherembodiment, the first tubular membrane 906 has a same cross-sectionalong the length 916 of the first tubular membrane 906. A distributionof a gain from the received first lens-guided beam of input RF signalsis substantially equalized across the feeder array 910 of a plurality ofantenna elements. The distribution of the gain is substantiallyequalized across the feeder array 910 based on the defined shape of thefirst lens 902 and the specified proximal distance 912 of the feederarray 910 to the base 904 of the first lens 902. The term substantiallyrefers to gain (received power) distribution across the feeder array 910within a range of plus minus (±) 1 to 15%, preferably about 0-3%difference in gain across the feeder array 910.

Typically, the peak gain of a lens is at broadside, and then the gainrolls-off as the scanning angle in elevation increases. In the presentdisclosure, using the first lens 902, it is possible to tradeoff some ofthe exceeding gain at broadside towards increasing the gain at largescanning angles (to have a constant gain response versus a scan angle).The substantial equalization of gain may be achieved by changing aneffective permittivity profile of the plurality of antenna elements ofthe feeder array 910 so that the first lens 902 is defocused for thebroadside beam and increases the focusing effect on the other angles.The permittivity profile may be changed by either changing the shape ofa lens to have a shape similar to that of the first lens 902 (i.e. acustom shape), a dielectric profile, or by other means.

In accordance with an embodiment, the control circuitry 114 of thecommunication device 102 may be further configured to continuously scanfor the received first lens-guided beam of input RF signals across thefeeder array 910 of the plurality of antenna elements. The controlcircuitry 114 of the communication device 102 may be further configuredto equalize the distribution of the gain based on adjustments in a phaseand an amplitude of the received first lens-guided beam of input RFsignals.

In accordance with an embodiment, the specified proximal distance 912 isfrom 1 to 5 millimeter (mm), preferably 3 mm. The specified proximaldistance 912 is from 1, 2, 3, or 4 mm up to 2, 3, 4, or 5 mm. The lengthof the base 904 is typically from 0.5 to 2 mm, preferably 1 mm. In anexample, the length 916 of the first tubular membrane 906 is from 10 to20 mm. In an example, the entire length of the first lens 902 from thebase 904 to the tip of the second membrane 908 along the axis 914 mayrange from 10-20 mm, preferably about 19 mm.

FIG. 9B is a schematic top view of the exemplary shaped lens on theantenna array of FIG. 9A, in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure. FIG. 9B is explained in conjunction with elements from FIGS.1A to 1D, 2A, 2B, 3A to 3F, 7, 8, and 9A. With reference to FIG. 9B,there is shown a top view of the feeder array 910 and the first lens902. As shown, the first lens 902 of the defined shape covers the feederarray 910 as a radome enclosure. Typically, each antenna array, such asthe feeder array 910, has a radiation surplus region 918 and a radiationdeficient region 920. The radiation surplus region 918 corresponds to acenter area of the feeder array 910 and the radiation deficient region920 corresponds to a plurality of edge areas of the feeder array 910.The first lens 902 is positioned on the feeder array 910 such that aplurality of beams of input RF signals that passes through the firstlens 902 are guided as corresponding plurality of first lens-guidedbeams of input RF signals across the feeder array 902 having a pluralityof antenna elements 922.

In accordance with an embodiment, the control circuitry 114 of thecommunication device 102 may be further configured to substantiallyequalize a distribution of a gain from the received first lens-guidedbeam of input RF signals from the radiation surplus region 918 to theradiation deficient region 920 of the feeder array 910 to increase atleast a reception sensitivity of the plurality of antenna elements 922for at least the first lens-guided beam of input RF signals. Thedistribution of the gain is substantially equalized based on the definedshape of the first lens 902 and the specified proximal distance 912 ofthe feeder array 910 to the first lens 902.

FIG. 9C is a schematic bottom view of the exemplary shaped lens on theantenna array of FIG. 9B, in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure. FIG. 9C is explained in conjunction with elements from FIGS.1A to 1D, 2A, 2B, 3A to 3F, 7, 8, 9A and 9B. With reference to FIG. 9C,there is shown a bottom view of the feeder array 910 and the first lens902. In the bottom view of the feeder array 910, there is further shownports and polarizations. In this embodiment, each antenna element hastwo ports (depicted by port numbers P1 and P2), one port perpolarization. Polarization along X-axis for a bottom row of each antennaelement is shown by even port numbers (represented by P2, P4, P6, andP8). Polarization along Y-axis for each antenna element in the bottomrow is shown by odd port numbers (represented by P1, P3, P5, and P7).

FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of an exemplary shaped lens on anantenna array in a LEPA configuration for the communication device ofFIG. 1A, in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure. FIG.10 is explained in conjunction with elements from FIGS. 1A to 1D, 2A,2B, 3A to 3F, 7, 8, and 9A to 9C. With reference to FIG. 10, there isshown a first lens 1002 having a bell-like shape. The first lens 1002 issimilar to that of the first lens 902. The first lens 1002 has a base1004, a first tubular membrane 1006, and a second membrane 1008. Thereis further shown a side view of a feeder array 1010 that may bepositioned in a specified proximal distance 1012 from the base 1004 ofthe first lens 1002 to receive a first lens-guided beam of input RFsignals through the second membrane 1008 of the first lens 1002. Thespecified proximal distance 1012 is less than a focal length of thefirst lens 1002, and the feeder array 1010 is positioned in a plane suchthat an axis 1014 of the first lens 1002 is orthogonal to the plane ofthe feeder array 1010. The first tubular membrane 1006 is connected tothe base 1004 and the second membrane 1008 is arranged as a cap on thefirst tubular membrane 1006. As shown, the first lens 1002 is arrangedon the feeder array 1010 and covers the feeder array 1010 as a radomeenclosure. A distance from the base 1004 to the second membrane 1008defines a length 1016 of the first tubular membrane 1006.

A plurality of antenna elements of the feeder array 1010 usually scansfor RF signals, and even at different scanning angles, a distribution ofthe gain across the feeder array 1010 is substantially equalized. Inother words, the plurality of antenna elements of the feeder array 1010are excited with a plurality of lens-guided beams of input RF signals atdifferent scanning angles with substantially equal gain. For example,from scan angle of −75 to +75 degree, the realized gain in decibels (dB)is almost equal. For example, for scan angle of −12 degree for differentports whether in center area or the edge area of the feeder array 1010,the realized gain may be 14.5 dB in an example. Similarly, for scanangle of +40 degree, the realized gain may be 14.5 or 14.6 (that issubstantially equal).

In accordance with an embodiment, the first lens 1002 further includesat least one of a defined geometry profile, a defined dielectricprofile, a defined refractive index profile, and a defined radiationprofile (similar to that as described in FIG. 1A). The defined geometryprofile of the first lens 1002 corresponds to a physical configurationbased on a thickness, a length, a beam diameter, a radius of curvature,and an arrangement of at least one aperture of the first lens 1002 (Someof other examples of lens configurations have been illustrated as anexample, in FIGS. 3A to 3F). The defined dielectric profile of the firstlens corresponds to a distribution of a dielectric constant within thefirst lens 1002. The defined dielectric profile is based on at least thedielectric constant, a permittivity, and a variation in concentration ofat least one dielectric material in at least one component of the firstlens 1002. The defined refractive index profile of the first lens 1002corresponds to a distribution of refractive index along a radial, aprincipal, or a defined plane of the first lens 1002. In accordance withan embodiment, the defined radiation profile of the first lens 1002corresponds to a transformation of a radiation pattern or a beam shapeover at least one aperture of the first lens 1002. In accordance with anembodiment, the first lens 1002 is a dielectric lens with aninhomogeneous distribution of the dielectric constant that varies alongat least the second membrane 1008 of at least one dielectric material.

FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of an exemplary system board withtransmitter modules and receiver modules for a communication device, inaccordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 11 is explained inconjunction with elements from FIGS. 1A to 1D, 2A, 2B, 3A to 3F, 7, 8,9A to 9C, and 10. With reference to FIG. 11, there is shown a systemboard 1102. The system board 1102 may be a printed circuit board (PCB)that comprises a plurality of transmitter modules 1104 (e.g. four Txmodules in this case) and a plurality of receiver modules 1106 (e.g.four Rx modules in this case). In an example, each module of theplurality of transmitter modules 1104 and the plurality of receivermodules 1106 comprises 4×4 (in a row by column arrangement)=16 antennaelements (i.e. 5 chips that includes one mixer chip and four Rx or Txmodule chips). In accordance with an embodiment, a first lens (such asthe first lens 902 or the first lens 1002), may be arranged on thesystem board 1102 such that only one Tx or Rx module of the plurality oftransmitter modules 1104 and the plurality of receiver modules 1106 iscovered by the first lens (such as the first lens 902 or the first lens1002).

FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of an exemplary system board with asystem board base enclosure and a system board cover, in accordance withan embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 12 is explained in conjunctionwith elements from FIGS. 1A to 1D, 2A, 2B, 3A to 3F, 7, 8, 9A to 9C, 10,and 11. With reference to FIG. 12, there is shown an arrangement of asystem board 1202, a system board base enclosure 1204, a system boardcover 1206, and a plurality of chips 1208, and support posts 1210 in acommunication device (e.g. in the communication device 102 or therepeater 804). In this case, the plurality of chips 1208 may includefour antenna modules (i.e. Tx or Rx antenna modules) and one mixer chip.The plurality of chips 1208 are arranged on the system board 1202.Alternatively stated, the system board 1202 comprises a feeder array ofa plurality of antenna elements and one or more other chips.

The system board 1202 is attached to the system board base enclosure1204 via the support posts 1210 which also function as shorting columns.The system board cover 1206 encloses (or covers) the system board 1202.The system board base enclosure 1204 may be detachably attached to thesystem board cover 1206 to enclose the system board 1202. In accordancewith an embodiment, one or more first lens (such as the first lens 902or the first lens 1002) may be a part of the system board cover 1206. Inan example, the number of first lens integrated with the system boardcover 1206 may be equal to the total number of antenna modules (i.e. onefirst lens per Tx or Rx antenna module) except the mixer chip.

FIG. 13 illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary system board coverwith a lens for a communication device, in accordance with an embodimentof the disclosure. FIG. 13 is explained in conjunction with elementsfrom FIGS. 1A to 1D, 2A, 2B, 3A to 3F, 7, 8, 9A to 9C, 10 to 12. Withreference to FIG. 13, there is shown a system board cover 1300 thatincludes a first lens 1302 and a height adjuster 1304 to control aspecified proximal distance between the base of the first lens 1302 anda system board (e.g. the system board 1102 or the system board 1202). Inan example, the height adjuster 1304 may be a rotatable knob. In otherwords, the height adjuster 1304 controls the spacing between the firstlens 1302 and the system board (e.g. the system board 1102 or the systemboard 1202) in an assembled state of the system board cover 1300 on thesystem board in a communication device (e.g. the repeater 804). In anexample, the first lens 1302 is made of a material suitable to receiveand transmit RF signals and at the same time protect the antennaelements from weather conditions like a radome. In an example, the firstlens 1302 may be made of Teflon or other hydrophobic polymeric material.In an example, the system board cover 1300 or the height adjuster 1304may be made of thermoplastic or thermoset material.

FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary lens mounted on a system board coverusing threads, in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure.FIG. 14 is explained in conjunction with elements from FIGS. 1A to 1D,2A, 2B, 3A to 3F, 7, 8, 9A to 9C, 10 to 13. With reference to FIG. 14,there is shown a first lens 1402 having a semi-spherical shapesurrounded by a support structure 1404 having thread patterns 1406 on anouter surface 1408 of the support structure 1404. The thread patterns1406 of the support structure 1404 may be used to detachably attach thefirst lens 1402 to a system board cover 1410. The system board cover1410 may be similar to that of the system board cover 1300 or 1206.

There are many advantages of a lens-enhanced communication device (e.g.the communication device 102 or the repeater 804) that comprises ashaped lens (e.g. the first lens 902, 1002, 1302, or 1402) having adefined shape in comparison to a phased array antenna without lens. Inthe present disclosure, a smaller number of excited antenna elements arerequired in the lens-enhanced communication device for 5G-ready or 5Gsolutions, which results in less direct current (DC) power consumption,while providing same gain as of the phased array antenna without lens orwithout the shaped lens. Additionally, there are comparatively lesstemperature issues or heating problems as compared to the existing 4G,5G-ready, or 5G solutions. In other words, lower power consumption isprovided than a phased array for the same aperture gain and a fewernumber of chips needed to excite a certain aperture size, whichincreases the possibility to excite multiple beams (all of them) withsimilar gain, especially for 5G-ready and true 5G solutions.Additionally, receiver sensitivity and communication range is increasedand at the same time there is less gain roll-off at large scan angles.As there is an equalized distribution of a gain from the received firstlens-guided beam of input RF signals from the radiation surplus region918 to the radiation deficient region 920 of a feeder array, thereception sensitivity and communication range of the plurality ofantenna elements 922 for at least the first lens-guided beam of input RFsignals, is increased. In an example, a communication device having thelens may provide an additional gain of at least 6 dB if, for example,only 4 elements of a 4×4 phased array are excited as compared to asimilar case without a lens. Additionally, high resolution scan steps(better or same as phased array without lens), is achieved. Fifthly, itis observed that in cases where a flat piece of material covers a systemboard (e.g. the system board 1102 or 1202), the phased array or thefeeder array performance may be degraded to a slight extent. However, incase of shaped lens (e.g. the first lens 902, 1002, 1302, or 1402), theshaped lens functions as the radome without degrading the performance offeeder array. Additionally, the shaped lens is usable on a variety ofantennas, such as a phased array antenna, a dual port, dual band (dualpolarization) antenna, a single band or a dual band polarized antenna,an open waveguide antenna, or other types of antenna known in the art.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart that illustrates exemplary operations forequalized distribution of received input RF signals across feeder arrayof the communication device, in accordance with another embodiment ofthe disclosure. FIG. 15 is explained in conjunction with FIGS. 1A to 1D,2A, 2B, 3A to 3F, and 9A to 9C, 10 to 14. With reference to FIG. 15,there is shown a flow chart 1500 that includes exemplary operations from1502 through 1512. The exemplary operations may be implemented in acommunication device (e.g. the communication device 102 or the repeater804) that comprises a first lens (e.g. the first lens 902, 1002, 1302,or 1402) having a defined shape.

At 1502, a first lens-guided beam of input RF signals is receivedthrough a first lens of a defined shape (e.g. the first lens 902, 1002,1302, or 1402), by a feeder array (e.g. the feeder array 106, 910, or1010) of the communication device (e.g. the communication device 102 orthe repeater 804). The feeder array (e.g. the feeder array 106, 910, or1010) comprises a plurality of antenna elements (e.g. the plurality ofantenna elements 108A . . . 108N or the plurality of antenna elements922) positioned in a specified proximal distance (e.g. specifiedproximal distance 912) to the first lens. The specified proximaldistance is less than a focal length of the first lens. In anembodiment, such reception of the beam of input RF signals may furtherbe done in conjunction with a phase and amplitude control of the controlcircuitry 114.

At 1504, continuous scan for the received first lens-guided beam ofinput RF signals may be performed across the plurality of antennaelements of the feeder array (e.g. the feeder array 106, 910, or 1010).The control circuitry 114 may be configured to continuously scan for thereceived first lens-guided beam of input RF signals across the feederarray. Such continuous scan may be facilitated by use of phase array orwaveguide antennas instead of single antennas for reception of the beamof input RF signals.

At 1506, a distribution of a gain from the received first lens guidedbeam of input RF signals may be substantially equalized from theradiation surplus region 918 to the radiation deficient region 920 ofthe feeder array (e.g. the feeder array 106, 910, or 1010) to increaseat least a reception sensitivity of the plurality of antenna elementsfor at least the first lens-guided beam of input RF signals. Thesubstantially equalized distribution of gain is achieved based on thedefined shape of the first lens and the specified proximal distance ofthe feeder array to the first lens. The radiation surplus regioncorresponds to a center area of the feeder array and the radiationdeficient region corresponds to a plurality of edge areas of the feederarray. In one implementation, the distribution of the gain of thereceived first lens-guided beam of input RF signals is equalized acrossthe feeder array when input RF signals passes through the first lens. Inanother implementation, the control circuitry 114 may be configured toequalize the distribution of the gain across the feeder array. Thesubstantially equalized distribution of the gain across the feeder array(e.g. the feeder array 106, 910, or 1010) of the plurality of antennaelements minimizes, at the communication device (e.g. the communicationdevice 102 or the repeater 804), a consumption of direct current (DC)power that is less than a threshold power whereas at the same timeprovides an equal or a higher amount of a gain as compared to aconventional phased array antenna in a communication device that isdevoid of the first lens. In an example, the threshold power may referto a specified power level or the amount of power used by a conventionalphased array antenna in a communication device that is devoid of thefirst lens while providing same or similar gain as of the disclosedcommunication device. The substantially equalized distribution of thegain further causes noise reduction and SNR improvements as compared tothe communication device that is devoid of the first lens.

At 1508, gain-equalized output signal may be received from the pluralityof antenna elements of the feeder array. The receiver circuitry 112 maybe configured to receive the gain-equalized output signals from theplurality of antenna elements of the feeder array.

At 1510, the received gain equalized output signal may be combined togenerate a power-combined output signal. A power combiner in thereceiver circuitry 112 may be configured to combine the received gainequalized output signals to generate a power-combined output signal.

In accordance with an exemplary aspect of the disclosure, acommunication device (e.g. the communication device 102 (FIG. 1A) orrepeater 804 (FIG. 8)) for 5G EN-DC and/or 5G communication isdisclosed. The communication device includes a first lens (e.g. thefirst lens 902, 1002, 1302, 1402) of a defined shape having a base (e.g.the base 904 or 1004) in a first shape, a first tubular membrane (e.g.the first tubular membrane 906 or 1006) connected to the base, and asecond membrane (e.g. the second membrane 908 or 1008) in a second shapearranged as a cap on the first tubular membrane. The first shape isdifferent from the second shape. The communication device furthercomprises a feeder array (feeder array 910 or 1010) includes a pluralityof antenna elements 922 that are positioned in a specified proximaldistance (e.g. the specified proximal distance 912 or 1012) from thebase of the first lens to receive a first lens-guided beam of inputradio frequency (RF) signals through the second membrane of the firstlens. The first lens of the defined shape is configured to cover thefeeder array as a radome enclosure. A distribution of gain from thereceived first lens-guided beam of input RF signals is substantiallyequalized across the feeder array of the plurality of antenna elementsbased on the defined shape of the first lens and the specified proximaldistance of the feeder array to the base of the first lens.

In accordance with an embodiment, the communication device (e.g. thecommunication device 102 or repeater 804) further comprises controlcircuitry 214 configured to continuously scan for the received firstlens-guided beam of input RF signals across the plurality of antennaelements of the feeder array. The communication device further comprisescontrol circuitry configured to equalize the distribution of the gainbased on adjustments in a phase and an amplitude of the received firstlens-guided beam of input RF signals.

In accordance with an embodiment, the first shape of the base iscomplementary to a shape of the feeder array to fit on the feeder arrayas the radome enclosure. A distance from the base to the second membranedefines a length of the first tubular membrane and the first tubularmembrane has a same cross-section along the length of the first tubularmembrane. In accordance with another embodiment, a distance from thebase to the second membrane defines a length of the first tubularmembrane and the first tubular membrane has a varying cross-sectionalong the length of the first tubular membrane.

In accordance with an embodiment, the first shape is a square shape andthe second shape is a semi-circular shape. The second membrane is atleast one of a semi-circular, a pentagonal pyramid, a parabola, asquare-shaped pyramid, a frustum, or an arbitrary shape configured tosubstantially equalize the distribution of the gain across the feederarray such that the plurality of antenna elements are excitable with aplurality of lens-guided beams of input RF signals at different scanningangles with substantially equal gain. The distribution of a radiationpattern of the received first lens-guided beam of input RF signals isequalized from a radiation surplus region to a radiation deficientregion of the feeder array for the substantially equalized distributionof the gain from the received first lens-guided beam of input RF signalsacross the feeder array of the plurality of antenna elements. Thesubstantially equalized distribution of the gain across the feeder arrayof the plurality of antenna elements minimizes, at the communicationdevice, a consumption of direct current (DC) power that is less than athreshold power and provides an equal or a higher amount of a gain ascompared to a phased array antenna in a communication device devoid ofthe first lens, and also causes noise reduction and a signal to noiseratio improvements (SNR) as compared to the communication device that isdevoid of the first lens.

In accordance with an embodiment, the first lens further includes atleast one of a defined geometry profile, a defined dielectric profile, adefined refractive index profile, and a defined radiation profile. Thedefined geometry profile of the first lens corresponds to a physicalconfiguration based on a thickness, a length, a beam diameter, a radiusof curvature, and an arrangement of at least one aperture of the firstlens. The defined dielectric profile of the first lens corresponds to adistribution of a dielectric constant within the first lens, and thedefined dielectric profile is based on at least the dielectric constant,a permittivity, and a variation in concentration of at least onedielectric material in at least one component of the first lens. Thedefined refractive index profile of the first lens corresponds to adistribution of refractive index along a radial, a principal, or adefined plane of the first lens. The defined radiation profile of thefirst lens corresponds to a transformation of a radiation pattern or abeam shape over at least one aperture of the first lens.

In accordance with an embodiment, the specified proximal distance isless than a focal length of the first lens. The feeder array ispositioned in a plane such that an axis of the first lens is orthogonalto the plane of the feeder array. In accordance with an embodiment, thefirst lens is a dielectric lens with an inhomogeneous distribution ofthe dielectric constant that varies along at least the second membraneof at least one dielectric material. The first lens is positioned suchthat a plurality of beams of input RF signals that passes through thefirst lens are guided as corresponding plurality of first lens-guidedbeams of input RF signals across the feeder array of the plurality ofantenna elements.

In accordance with an embodiment, the communication device (e.g. thecommunication device 102 or repeater 804) further comprises a systemboard (e.g. the system board 1102 or 1202) that includes the feederarray with the plurality of antenna elements. The communication devicealso includes a system board cover (e.g. the system board cover 1206,1300, or 1410) that includes the first lens and the height adjuster 1304to control the specified proximal distance between the base of the firstlens and the system board. The communication device also includes asystem board base enclosure 1204 that is detachably attached or coupledto the system board cover to enclose the system board.

In accordance with an exemplary aspect of the disclosure, acommunication device (e.g. the communication device 102 (FIG. 1A) orrepeater 804 (FIG. 8)) for 5G EN-DC and/or 5G communication isdisclosed. The communication device includes a first lens (e.g. thefirst lens 902, 1002, 1302, 1402) of a defined shape, a feeder array(e.g. the feeder array 910 or 1010) comprising a plurality of antennaelements that are positioned in a specified proximal distance (e.g. thespecified proximal distance 912 or 1012) from the first lens to receivea first lens-guided beam of input radio frequency (RF) signals throughthe first lens. The specified proximal distance is less than a focallength of the first lens. The first lens covers the feeder array as aradome enclosure. A distribution of a gain from the received firstlens-guided beam of input RF signals is substantially equalized from theradiation surplus region 918 to the radiation deficient region 920 ofthe feeder array to increase at least a reception sensitivity of theplurality of antenna elements for at least the first lens-guided beam ofinput RF signals, based on the defined shape of the first lens and thespecified proximal distance of the feeder array to the first lens. Theradiation surplus region corresponds to a center area of the feederarray and the radiation deficient region corresponds to a plurality ofedge areas of the feeder array.

While various embodiments described in the present disclosure have beendescribed above, it should be understood that they have been presentedby way of example, and not limitation. It is to be understood thatvarious changes in form and detail can be made therein without departingfrom the scope of the present disclosure. In addition to using hardware(e.g., within or coupled to a central processing unit (“CPU”),microprocessor, micro controller, digital signal processor, processorcore, system on chip (“SOC”) or any other device), implementations mayalso be embodied in software (e.g., computer readable code, programcode, and/or instructions disposed in any form, such as source, objector machine language) disposed for example in a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium configured to store the software. Such softwarecan enable, for example, the function, fabrication, modeling,simulation, description and/or testing of the apparatus and methodsdescribe herein. For example, this can be accomplished through the useof general program languages (e.g., C, C++), hardware descriptionlanguages (HDL) including Verilog HDL, VHDL, and so on, or otheravailable programs. Such software can be disposed in any knownnon-transitory computer-readable medium, such as semiconductor, magneticdisc, or optical disc (e.g., CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, etc.). The software canalso be disposed as computer data embodied in a non-transitorycomputer-readable transmission medium (e.g., solid state memory anyother non-transitory medium including digital, optical, analogue-basedmedium, such as removable storage media). Embodiments of the presentdisclosure may include methods of providing the apparatus describedherein by providing software describing the apparatus and subsequentlytransmitting the software as a computer data signal over a communicationnetwork including the internet and intranets.

It is to be further understood that the system described herein may beincluded in a semiconductor intellectual property core, such as amicroprocessor core (e.g., embodied in HDL) and transformed to hardwarein the production of integrated circuits. Additionally, the systemdescribed herein may be embodied as a combination of hardware andsoftware. Thus, the present disclosure should not be limited by any ofthe above-described exemplary embodiments but should be defined only inaccordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

1-20: (canceled)
 21. A communication device, comprising: a lens having adefined shape; and a feeder array comprising a plurality of antennaelements that are positioned in a specified proximal distance from thelens to receive a lens-guided beam of input radio frequency (RF) signalsthrough the lens, wherein the specified proximal distance is less than afocal length of the lens, and wherein the lens covers the feeder arrayas a radome enclosure, and wherein a distribution of a gain from thereceived lens-guided beam of input RF signals is substantially equalizedfrom a radiation surplus region to a radiation deficient region of thefeeder array to increase at least a reception sensitivity of theplurality of antenna elements for at least the lens-guided beam of inputRF signals, based on the defined shape of the lens and the specifiedproximal distance of the feeder array to the lens, and wherein theradiation surplus region corresponds to a center area of the feederarray and the radiation deficient region corresponds to a plurality ofedge areas of the feeder array.
 22. The communication device accordingto claim 21, further comprising a control circuitry configured tocontinuously scan for the input RF signals across the feeder array ofthe plurality of antenna elements.
 23. The communication deviceaccording to claim 21, further comprising a control circuitry configuredto equalize the distribution of the gain based on adjustments in a phaseof the plurality of antenna elements.
 24. The communication deviceaccording to claim 21, wherein the distribution of the gain is equalizedbased on a bell shape of the lens.
 25. The communication deviceaccording to claim 21, wherein each lens comprises: a base, a firsttubular membrane coupled to the base; a second membrane coupled to thefirst tubular membrane, the second membrane, wherein first tubularmembrane and the second membrane, in conjunction, cause the lens to havea bell shape; and a support structure coupled to the first tubularmembrane, wherein the support structure defines threads that facilitatesthe coupling of the lens with a system cover.
 26. The communicationdevice according to claim 25, wherein a distance from the base to thesecond membrane defines a length of the first tubular membrane, whereinthe first tubular membrane has a varying cross-section along the lengthof the first tubular membrane.
 27. The communication device according toclaim 25, wherein a distance from the base to the second membranedefines a length of the first tubular membrane, wherein the firsttubular membrane has a same cross-section along the length of the firsttubular membrane.
 28. The communication device according to claim 21,wherein the distribution of the of the input RF signals is equalizedfrom a radiation surplus region to a radiation deficient region of thefeeder array based on a distribution of a dielectric constant of thelens.
 29. The communication device according to claim 21, the lensfurther has at least one of a defined dielectric profile, a definedgeometric profile, a defined refractive index profile, and a definedradiation profile.
 30. The communication device according to claim 29,wherein the defined geometry profile of the lens corresponds to athickness, a length, a radius of curvature, and an arrangement of atleast one aperture of the lens.
 31. The communication device accordingto claim 29, wherein the defined dielectric profile of the lenscorresponds to a distribution of a dielectric constant of the lens. 32.The communication device according to claim 31, wherein the dielectricconstant of the lens varies radially facilitating distribution of thegain of the input RF signals.
 33. The communication device according toclaim 21, wherein the specified proximal distance is less than a focallength of the lens, and wherein the feeder array is positioned in aplane such that a central axis of the lens is orthogonal to the plane ofthe feeder array.
 34. The communication device according to claim 21,wherein the lens is a dielectric lens with an inhomogeneous distributionof a dielectric constant along at least a second membrane of the lens.35. The communication device according to claim 29, wherein the definedrefractive index profile of the lens corresponds to a distribution ofrefractive index along a radial, a principal, or a defined plane of thelens.
 36. The communication device according to claim 29, wherein thedefined radiation profile of the lens corresponds to a transformation ofa radiation pattern or a beam shape over at least one aperture of thelens.
 37. A method, comprising: in a communication device that comprisesa lens having a defined shape: receiving, by a feeder array of thecommunication device, a lens-guided beam of input radio frequency (RF)signals through the lens, wherein the feeder array comprises a pluralityof antenna elements positioned in a specified proximal distance to thelens, wherein the specified proximal distance is less than a focallength of the lens; and substantially equalizing a distribution of again from the received lens-guided beam of input RF signals from aradiation surplus region to a radiation deficient region of the feederarray to increase at least a reception sensitivity of the plurality ofantenna elements for at least the lens-guided beam of input RF signals,based on the defined shape of the lens and the specified proximaldistance of the feeder array to the lens, and wherein the radiationsurplus region corresponds to a center area of the feeder array and theradiation deficient region corresponds to a plurality of edge areas ofthe feeder array.
 38. The method according to claim 37, furthercomprising continuously scanning for the input RF signals across thefeeder array of the plurality of antenna elements.
 39. The methodaccording to claim 37, further comprising receiving a gain-equalizedoutput signals from the plurality of antenna elements.
 40. The methodaccording to claim 39, further comprising combining the gain-equalizedoutput signals to generate a power-combined output signal.